On the Air

In the final episode of Season 6, On the Air host Paula is joined by Patrick Merton-Jones from the National Housing Federation, Rural Housing Enabler Programme Manager at ACRE Max Banfield and Marie Riordan, Director of Developmentat Stonewater. Whilst more affordable housing is seen as a lifeline for rural communities, housing associations and other developers face significant barriers to delivering new affordable homes in rural areas, including planning constraints, limited land availability, supply chain issues, viability challenges and local opposition to development. With guests Patrick, Marie and Max we also examine the role of innovation, partnership working and community engagement in ensuring rural areas remain sustainable, thriving places where local people can continue to live and work. Go to Building rural communities | Meeting the housing need | Stonewater

In this episode of On the Air, Paula is joined by John Wickenden from Housemark, Paul Malone from Moving Soon and Charlie Bessant from Stonewater to explore why empty homes are rarely as simple as they appear. Together, they unpack the complex reality behind voids, looking at the many stages involved. The discussion highlights how fragmented systems, resource pressures and changing regulations can all add time to the process, even when everyone involved is focused on getting homes ready as quickly as possible. The episode also looks to the longer-term decisions that shape how empty homes are managed. John, Paul and also explore why some properties may be harder to let, why perceptions of empty homes do not always reflect ownership or viability, and how reinvestment, modern methods of construction, repurposing existing buildings and more joined-up sector thinking could all help respond to growing demand for social housing.

This episode explores the next era of social housing - safer, greener, more connected and shaped by a stronger tenant voice - through the lens of delivery. What does it take to turn policy ambition into day-to-day reality?  We talk to Clare Mills, Onboarding and Talent Lead, Stonewater; Lisa Collen, Group Director Culture & Organisational Design and Natalie Flageul, Executive Director of Customer Experience, Raven Housing Trust. The discussion covers everything from the importance of focusing on colleague experience, diversity, and empowerment to technology integration, and continuous learning to deliver consistent, customer-centred social housing services that meet evolving safety, regulatory, and investment standards.  Because the future of social housing isn’t just about regulation or technology; it’s about building organisations that can deliver consistently for customers.