Nearly 50 people attended a counter-fraud seminar held on 10 July, which was organised by the Housing Association Internal Audit Forum (HAIAF) and hosted by Genesis Housing Group, at whose headquarters it was held.
Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Iain Wright MP, opened the event, speaking about the key role registered social landlords (RSLs) must play in order to deliver good homes and communities in the UK.
Iain Wright MP spoke about how the Academy for Sustainable Communities will be responsible for facilitating the improvement in skills in design, architecture, planning and local authority effectiveness. He referred to the step change in how RSLs are regulated following the change in the Housing Corporation’s organisation.
Assuring the audience that regulation will be based on a light-touch, risk-based and proportionate approach, the regulator, Mr Wright said, should work very closely with RSL’s internal auditors.
Iain Wright MP also spoke about the social housing implications of the Housing and Regeneration Bill saying “If we are to increase the supply of housing in England and achieve an additional three million homes by 2020, internal auditors must play a key role. They provide a link between the regulator and the RSL. Now, more than ever we are required to provide assurance to boards and stakeholders that their RSL operates well on the ground, under an effective business model, and that they have sufficient liquidity and control operations to be able to provide better services to their tenants”.
The ministerial address was followed by questions and answers, before a counter-fraud seminar covering cyber-crime, fraudster psychology, fraud investigation, prevention and asset recovery took place.
