Housing associations and councils key to tackling chronic shortage of affordable homes, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has told its new current affairs programme.

‘Solving the Housing Crisis?’, a news programme created by CIH and ITN Productions, examines the contribution social housing makes to society and what the government can do to support people in need of a home.

Terrie Alafat CBE, chief executive of CIH, said: “Can we really call ourselves a civilised society if we are not providing affordable homes for people who need them?”

Interviewed exclusively for ‘Solving the Housing Crisis?’, Terrie Alafat also championed the work of local authorities and housing associations.

She said: “Housing associations play a huge role in delivering other priorities that this country has, in terms of improving health, in term of economic recovery, in terms of helping people get into jobs, there is a whole range of other things that they do. It is not just housing associations, it is local authorities as well and we have been pushing government for quite a long time to enable local authorities to begin to build houses again in the way they did back in the 60s and 70s.”

The launch of the programme coincides with Housing 2018, CIH’s annual conference in Manchester, where speakers including housing minister Dominic Raab MP are due to address hundreds of housing professionals.

From the Grenfell tragedy to the benefit cap, from social housing shortages to Generation Rent; housing issues are affecting all of us. In a three-part programme, ‘Solving the Housing Crisis’ meets those trying to make a positive difference, building affordable homes and cultivating and nurturing communities in their bid to house a population that is finding it increasingly hard to find somewhere they can call home.

Drawing upon ITN’s 60-year heritage and expertise in storytelling, presented by national newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, the news-style programme combines interviews, case studies and sponsored stories from B3 Living, bpha, Bolton at Home, Broadland Housing Association, Housing Solutions Group, Hyde Housing Association, Longhurst Group, Magenta Housing, Moat Homes, Ongo Homes, Onward Homes, Places for People, RHP Group, Rosebery Housing Association, Settle, Silva Homes, Soha Housing, Southern Housing, Stafford and Rural Housing, Stonewater, Swan Housing Group, Trent & Dove Housing, United Welsh, WHG Housing Association, WM Housing and Wythenshawe Community Housing.

It also features the work of Crisis, the Housing Plus Academy and South Cambridgeshire District Council.

The full programme can be viewed online at www.cih.org/solvingthehousingcrisis

Terrie Alafat said: “The housing crisis is affecting people all over the UK, from young people unable to get their foot on the housing ladder to families putting up with poor conditions in the private rented sector, people stuck on the waiting list for social housing and homeless people trapped in poor quality B&Bs.

“We simply cannot go on with the system we have or the implications for future generations will be every bit as significant as the impact of Brexit. We’re delighted to have worked with ITN Productions on this project which explores the challenges, highlights potential solutions and showcases the vital work that housing professionals are doing.”

Simon Shelley, head of industry news, ITN Productions, added: “ITN Productions has been delighted to partner with the Chartered Institute of Housing to create ‘Solving the Housing Crisis?’. We hope this programme will help to inform and enlighten viewers of the importance of our housing sector and what more needs to be done to support people getting a home. We are extremely pleased with how this programme brings to life the initiatives and people who are devoted to driving positive change.”