From boardroom to brick-laying – there’s something for everyone in housing

Speaking to CIH regional manager, Jill Allcoat, Laura Martin, housing development manager at Durham County Council shares her thoughts on housing as a career.        

Jill: How did you come to be working in the housing sector? 

Laura: In all honesty it was completely by accident. I had graduated from university with a degree in geography and was unclear about what I really wanted to do as a career. I happened to come across a position in development management at a local authority, and it sparked an interest. I had a keen interest in the human side of my course, and the job really matched this. Following this I worked my way up the planning ladder and ended up in the housing team as a senior manager.  

Jill: Tell me a bit more about your job, including what responsibilities you have in your role.  

Laura: In my current role at Durham County Council I have direct responsibility for promoting housing development within the county. The role encompasses liaison with Homes England to facilitate the delivery of the government housing agenda, as well as working with strategic stakeholders in the delivery of new social and open-market housing. I have to provide clear and direct leadership to the housing development team, which is outcome focused and future and transformation orientated. Most recently I have become the lead member of management team in the delivery of the authority’s own council housing building programme.  

Jill: What knowledge, skills and behaviours do you think are important for working in a housing development role?  

Laura: I think a wide knowledge base is a real asset when it comes to housing, ranging from homeless solutions to development skills. Due to the nature of housing it is a very varied profession, and it is really how you adapt your existing skills to fit with your chosen bit of housing. I think empathy is one of the key behaviours and an understanding of why you do the job. For me it’s about getting residents in homes which meet their needs alongside creating a sense of place and community.  

Jill: What are the biggest challenges in your role?   

Laura: Funding - or lack of it! Or it not being in the right place. Working in the north east the funding pots which often come from central government see a one-size-fits-all approach, but that is not the case. In the region we often struggle with land value and making developments viable. This therefore has a massive impact upon the delivery of affordable homes and other s106 burdens.  

Jill: How have you kept up to date with your professional development?  

Laura: CIH is invaluable in helping me to keep up to date with my professional development. CIH offers relevant, timely events that are directly linked to the hottest topics around housing at the time.  

Jill: And finally what would you say to someone considering a career in housing?  

Laura: Do it! The profession needs more skilled workers, whether that’s in the board room or laying bricks. The sector is so diverse that there is something out there for everyone, and there are a lot of great opportunities.