2025 Presidential Address and Appeal: Why we all need to CHOOSE HOUSING

In a personal and moving speech at last night’s Presidential Address and Appeal, CIH president Elly Hoult MA FCIH urged the industry to back housing as a fulfilling career of choice.  

Too many people, she said, will say that they took the career path with no clear intention and “fell into housing”. “Isn’t it time to rewrite that story?” she asked. “Isn’t it time we made housing a deliberate, passionate choice? A vocation, a calling. A profession with social purpose at its core.” 

To rapturous applause, Elly acknowledged the technical expertise, people skills, leadership, adaptability, resilience and determination of professionals working in the housing sector and praised CIH as a professional body that supported people at every step of their career development.  

In a rallying call to the packed room of over 500 professionals, she said: “If each of us inspired just five others to consider a career in housing, think about the impact we could have.” 

While her presidential address celebrated professionalism, Elly’s charity appeal called on the sector to support society’s most vulnerable in her choice of Barnardo’s as the presidential charity for 2025.  

Reflecting on the unacceptable numbers of children living in temporary accommodation, she said: “These numbers are staggering, but they’re not just statistics — they’re real children, real families. 

"Barnardo’s is doing incredible work to give these children a chance.” 

The 2025 Presidential Address and Charitable Appeal also featured a guest speech from Kriss Akabusi MBE, celebrated Olympian, media personality, motivational speaker and businessman.