In this Housing Sector Raw update, Ben Jenkins shares the latest developments from across the housing sector. From a new update on a Housing Ombudsman investigation to ongoing scrutiny of service charges and the flow of public money through housing benefit, this episode looks at the issues that rarely get discussed openly.

Ben explains how Freedom of Information requests are beginning to reveal the scale of housing benefit payments flowing from councils to housing associations, with tens of millions of pounds identified in just a few council areas. At the same time, he discusses transparency concerns when some councils say they cannot locate the same information.

The episode also covers progress on a First-tier Tribunal challenge to service charges. After scrutiny and a Section 22 request, a series of corrections by the landlord has already reduced charges by around 30 percent — raising wider questions about how often these figures are properly examined.

There is also an update on the Housing Ombudsman process, which may take many months to conclude, and a discussion about the broader issue of legal pressure and SLAPP-style tactics used against journalists and campaigners.

Housing Sector remains entirely independent and self-funded. The aim is simple: to ask difficult questions, publish evidence, and create honest conversations about how the housing system works.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Housing Ombudsman investigation update
• Following the Money – new blog on housing benefit flows
• FOI findings from Birmingham, Walsall and Wiltshire councils
• Service charge scrutiny and Section 22 rights for residents
• First-tier Tribunal challenge explained
• Transparency and accountability in housing funding
• Independent journalism and SLAPP pressures

Read the latest blog:
https://www.housingsector.co.uk

SHAC - Golden Webb
https://shaction.org/2024/05/29/the-golden-web/

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