Ange’s Housing Blog Sept 2026

By Ange Rochford-Briggs, Social Housing Strategy & Partnerships Lead

Sadly, is seems summer is nearly over! We’ve held two very successful housing summits – one kindly hosted by the Minister for Nature Mary Creagh MP on 17th July in Coventry and the other by Bristol City Council at their headquarters on 11th August. Both were well attended with a combination of local and national landlords and representatives from voluntary sector organisations from both areas in attendance. Thanks to both Mary Creagh MP and her team and our partners at Bristol City Council for the opportunity raise the profile of EFP’s campaign! 

We also hosted the second meeting of our growing Furniture Forum, in early July, with almost 20 landlords being represented. We used our time to discuss furnished tenancies, with members with existing schemes kindly sharing their knowledge and experience with those who are working towards establishing furniture provision. Our next meeting will take place via Teams on the 23 September – new members from the housing sector are always welcome to attend, email info@endfurniturepoverty.org for more information.  

I am also currently working with two major landlords as part of internal working groups helping them to plan their strategies for tackling furniture poverty.  My role is to use my experience and knowledge to help answer their questions, share guidance documents, case studies and contacts for other landlords who may be able to support them too. I look forward to launching furnished tenancy schemes with both organisations (hopefully!).  

I was delighted to be invited to the North Child Poverty conference held in Newcastle on 9th July. This was a fantastic opportunity to participate in the review of the NE Child Poverty strategy, as well as hear the guest speaker the RH Angela Rayner’s (pictured with NE Mayor Kim McGuinness) personal experience of poverty and her refreshing views on tackling this important issue, whether that be in the North-East or the wider nation.    

Over the coming months, I look forward to another housing summit, which is due to be held on 15th September in Hartlepool and our next Furniture Forum meeting. I also plan to visit to the Houses of Parliament in October, to support the launch of EFP’s next piece of research, which examines the impact of furniture poverty on survivors of domestic abuse.  

Thank you to Fusion 21 for their ongoing support for my work, it is much appreciated!