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HIAF Name Change

A proposal that HIAF be renamed the ‘Social Housing Internal Audit and Assurance Forum’, with effect from April 2010, was not approved at our annual general meeting, although the need for a change of name was agreed.

The purpose of the proposal was to acknowledge that the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) will assume responsibility for regulation of all social housing, including that provided by local authorities (LA), from that date; and that the activities and publications of HIAF should hold greater relevance to our LA colleagues. It also addresses the relevance of the forum to arms-length management organisations.

Concern was expressed about the term ‘social housing’, which some felt to be a dated label. There was also concern about the loss of a recognisable brand and concern about the cost of rebranding. There was also a suggestion that we had not consulted effectively; although the issue has been raised in eZines, there has been a very limited response.

The executive will re-consider the name change issue on Wednesday 16 December. We would welcome members’ views in advance of this meeting (sorry about the short notice), or at the latest by 24 December. Please direct any comments, including suggested names or names to be avoided, to Paul McCloughlin - whether you are in favour of or opposed to a name change let us know. We will keep members informed on developments with this issue.

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