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Genesis manager quits following abandonment of social housing

The move by Genesis Housing Association to pull out of social and affordable housing (reported here) has provoked discussion. Today Inside Housing magazine has produced this letter of resignation from an unnamed manager in the organisation:

 

The manager - who Inside Housing do not name - said the move would “will change the face of housing associations for ever” and it would be “against my principles” to continue to work at the landlord.

 

Dear Neil

 

Following much thought triggered by your recent Inside Housing interview, I have decided to resign from my post at Genesis as I honestly cannot continue to work for an organisation I do not believe in.

 

This is so against my principles… that I would rather seek new employment than work for Genesis as a private developer.  

 

 

Some years ago, as a homeless and pregnant teenager I realised that housing was the absolute key for people to make their own way in life. This experience triggered me to go to university to do a housing related degree.  My whole class went on to become property developers but I only wanted one thing - to ensure that people like me and other vulnerable people were helped with affordable homes so that they could go on to fulfil their potential.

 

I and many others in the sector, do not work for financial gain, rather our primary motivation is to try and make a difference by helping and empowering those in need. Your comments in particular about it “won’t be your problem” when asked about the poorest makes me feel that Genesis is an  organisation that I cannot sign up to, nor commit to the #IamGenesis campaign to our customers.

 

The decision to end the development of sub market rented properties by one of the largest and most resourced housing associations is … one that will change the face of housing associations for ever.  

 

I have also noticed that Genesis residents have wanted to join sensible discussions on major issues such as disposals, tenure types and value for money but have not been allowed to.  It seems wrong that such a momentous decision should come to residents’ attention through the housing press. Surely Genesis should involve them as key stakeholders?

 

Without this discussion, I fear Genesis will always be struggling to meet its major operational goals such as raising customer satisfaction and employee engagement as customers will continue to feel the mistrust which has dominated over the past few years.

 

The decision to end the development of sub market rented properties by one of the largest and most resourced housing associations is not a government forced decision and is rather one that will change the face of housing associations for ever.  

 

This is so against my principles and the economic case made so eloquently recently by the SHOUT commissioned report that I would rather seek new employment than work for Genesis as a private developer.  

 

A manager at Genesis

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