Ulfat in conversation with the HQN

Our new CEO, Ulfat Hussain, speaks to John Land at the HQN (Housing Quality Network) about his career, the challenges facing BME communities and his aspirations for the first 12 months in the role.

Listen to Ulfat chatting to John Land at the HQN about his aspirations and those of the organisation over the next few years. He lists his top three priorities and discusses his experience within housing over the last 20 years. He also looks to the future both strategically and regionally, bringing with him some new, fresh ideas for Arawak Walton.

Ulfat also addresses some of the myths around Housing and talks about the importance of connecting with residents new and old on a personal level.

Ulfat Hussain on BME Housing Associations:

“It’s about knowing we aren’t just about providing homes; it’s about supporting communities with their life choices. We know unemployment in BME communities is higher than others. We need to address this and help those communities form role models who can influence the generations of people to come”.

Ulfat comments on the need for BME Housing Associations and the work they do:

You’d probably think after 30 years of having a BME housing sector we wouldn’t need BME Housing Associations anymore; However you only have to look at what happened over the summer to see that we actually need BME Housing Associations more than ever to support minority communities move forward, grow and develop”.

On the current political landscape:

“Housing is very important but it can’t be tackled alone. We need this Government to create long term policies and not just short term fixes. Investing in housing isn’t just about bricks and mortar, it’s about investing in people’s lives and the lives of a whole community.”

Listen to the full podcast for yourself here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0CUgM1WKDFQRyqC3PDPYCI?si=zvi3fFzAQcOI3S6DNmJBHw