Regional Focus: East Midlands Housing Jobs
Richard Gelder, Director of Hays Social Housing, provides an insight into the East Midlands housing job opportunities for social housing professionals.
As with many regions across the UK, the East Midlands is faced with rising house prices, rising homelessness and wages which aren’t able to match these vast increases. The region is faced with further challenges because of its economic and cultural diversity. For example, there is a large minority ethnic population, a sizeable migrant workforce in Lincolnshire and the region remains strong in manufacturing and exports.
It is also a rural region, with around 40% of the population living in towns or villages with less than 10,000 inhabitants. A lack of government investment in housing in the East Midlands is now becoming apparent and some areas, such as Derby, have a strong need for regeneration.
The situation is exacerbated by high student populations for example, in Lincoln, Loughborough, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. The lack of sufficient housing supply is helping to push up house prices and putting a strain on the existing affordable housing stock.
These factors mean that the need for social housing is high. For example, while house prices in the East Midlands have risen by 138% (1997-2005), incomes only grew by 17% in the same period. Housing waiting lists also rose by nearly 40% and homelessness is up almost 30% since 2000.
In addition, housing market forecasts commissioned by the National Housing Federation indicate that by 2011 people in the East Midlands will be faced with an average house price of over £235,000 and that new affordable home building is running at only one third of the levels needed. Plus, Right to Buy and other sales schemes are exacerbating the problem – negating the benefits of new homes being built.
However, it is likely that an inspection will be carried out on Nottingham City Homes over the next 12 months, which may mean increased funding for the area depending on their revised rating. On another positive note, the focus of the regeneration isn’t just on housing, but on developing the wider community and local services – which is subsequently creating further employment opportunities and revitalising the region’s economy.
This regeneration activity has been supported by a noticeable increase in people looking to work in the social housing sector, coming from other industries. However, there remains a shortage of experienced workers, particularly housing officers, with many people choosing to stay in permanent roles, or possessing too little experience and finding it difficult to move on.
Amy Underwood, consultant at Hays Social Housing says: “We are definitely finding that it is a job-led market at the moment. Generally, employers can pick and choose from a pool of jobseekers. However, this becomes less apparent when they are looking for senior staff with a number of years of experience. They are in short supply and good candidates are difficult to find.”
Employers are particularly looking for candidates with homelessness experience due to the attempts to reduce homelessness levels across the region. Similarly, a renewed focus on the supported housing agenda means that social care workers are also highly sought after. Housing officers and skilled project workers are also in demand.
As a result, candidates with specialist experience are faring well with salary levels. In the 2007 salary guide produced by Hays Social Housing, in association with Inside Housing, it is clear that salaries have increased across the region. A housing officer in the Midlands can now earn around £20,500, while a senior housing manager can typically earn £27,000. There have even been instances in the East Midlands where a housing manager has commanded a salary of over £30,000.
Overall, the region faces some unique challenges due to its diverse nature but the focus on addressing the lack of housing and rising homelessness levels means that experienced candidates remain highly sought after. Salaries are rising steadily but need to increase further if they are to match the vastly inflated house prices.
For further information contact Amy Underwood, consultant at Hays Social Housing, on 01159598786 or email amy.underwood@hays.com.
