Housing research at Salford welcomed by Government Minister

Dr Graeme Sherriff, Philip Martin and Dr Joshua Pink, researchers in the Sustainable Housing & Urban Studies Unit (SHUSU), have been commissioned by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to evaluate the impact of the £15 million Social Housing Quality Fund (SHQF), which has come from the Minister’s department.

GMCA has been tasked with delivering the fund to social housing providers across the region, to help tackle serious hazards relating to damp and mould. Following the death of Awaab Ishak in sub-standard accommodation in Rochdale last year, housing has been recognised as an urgent issue.

Graeme Sherriff, who is a Reader in the School of Health and Society and is co-director of SHUSU said: “This is a great example of our research influencing policy at a regional and national level. As we are working social housing providers as well as GMCA and Government, it is a powerful case study of the value we can add to public initiatives. “

Philip Martin, Research Fellow in the School of Health and Society explained: “It is very encouraging to know that the Secretary of State has commended the SHQF’s progress in Greater Manchester and will be taking on board our research findings, which he says will be helpful for both GMCA and the Government.”

Graeme and Philip have collaborated in the past on major research projects on fuel poverty and housing challenges in Greater Manchester and beyond. These have looked at Passivhaus retrofit in social housing in Manchester, health and housing advice in the outer Hebrides, and the development of a legacy archive of research for the EAGA Charitable Trust.

Graeme, Philip and Joshua’s research is due for completion by September 2024 and the lessons will help to inform future programmes.