Received from: SoR
Merged into composite 09
Secure housing was once built into the design of public sector infrastructure – new hospitals came with supported accommodation for young professionals; new schools included caretaker housing.
Today’s reality is very different. As value gaps emerge – those looking after money have seen rewards rise faster than average pay, whilst those responsible for looking after people have been consistently devalued – fuelling a recruitment and retention crisis impacting all families and the wider economy.
In parallel, housing policy has protected landlords more than tenants, including new professionals, often moving to start their new careers without housing security.
Improving access to affordable, secure rented housing for public sector professionals, alongside legislation to secure rent control and improve tenant rights, will help address the public sector recruitment and retention crisis and help communities they serve in.
Congress therefore calls for government to:
i. work in partnership with unions and employers to identify effective, targeted incentives to improve public sector recruitment, including publicly supported accommodation
ii. prioritise renting in its housing strategy – securing access to affordable rented housing for all, including public sector professionals
iii. introduce fair rent control and legislation that prioritises tenants before landlords
iv. secure investment in public sector infrastructure, including affordable rented accommodation, as part of its industrial strategy, linking to any tax breaks for private sector investment.
Society of Radiographers