The long shadow of Brexit falls on those in the most desperate need of better housing

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy I have become increasingly concerned with the way Housing Associations are treating elderly and vulnerable residents, including those with mental health issues. Kelsey Walker, a director at Savills Housing Consultancy said that building costs may rise faster than CPI, the government’s standard measure of inflation, so even if the government sticks to the rent settlement, housing associations shouldn’t assume that increased rents will cover increased costs. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The government boasts of a huge housing programme, but there is no talk about holding housing associations to account for their failure to meet the needs of vulnerable people, tenants and leaseholders. Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, has said that the UK needs a retrofit strategy "to ensure that our existing homes are fit for the future, and to alleviate the scourge of fuel poverty.” But in the shadow of Brexit how will these emerging mega housing associations get the sustained and detailed monitoring needed at a time when the government is failing to deliver its own house building programme?