I wish the housing sector had been better at demonstrating its importance'
Alan McGuckin was Kingdom Housing Association's first and only employee in 1985. The housing association had no houses at the time but was responsible for refurbishing 16 properties in Dunfermline. Since then the association has built more than 3,500 homes in Fife and McGuckin has been joined by another 350 employees.
After 28 years as chief executive, McGuckin stepped down to retire in October. We caught up with him to reflect on his time in the sector.
How has the sector changed during your time in it?
I started with the Housing Corporation back in the late 70s so it has to be first the sheer growth of the sector and second the increased financial complexity with the introduction of private finance and all that goes with it. When I began, all loans came through the public works loan board and now that this has started again, I feel that having gone full circle, it was maybe a good time to go.
What do you think are the biggest challenges for your successor?
I think the biggest challenges in the short term will be in dealing with the pressures coming from a number of sources, such as housing benefit cuts, universal credit, care funding and pension deficits. Although I am confident that this will be achieved and thereafter I'd be optimistic about the long term prospects for Kingdom.
What do you think are now the biggest challenges for the sector?
Many housing associations are facing the same challenges that Kingdom are, although I think for a number of organisations keeping their independence – if that's what they want – could be problematic.
Do you have any regrets from your time at Kingdom?
I wish the housing sector had been more successful in getting over the message to politicians and the general public that what we do is important and worthwhile, although I am hopeful that this is now changing. Better late than never.
What are you most proud of from your time at Kingdom?
I'm proud of the way in which we've driven up the quality of the housing that we've built in an incremental fashion over the years. I'm also proud that we've managed to develop a range of successful services to complement the housing provision including care and support, care and repair and a range of employment and wider action projects.
Which government policies have been the most and least helpful?
At the risk of betraying my age, the most beneficial legislation has to be the 1974 Housing Act which was the bedrock on which the sector was built and financed. The worst has to be the right-to-buy, which, although it benefited many people individually, has been one of the main causes of the desperate shortages in supply we're seeing today.
What do you predict the housing sector will look like in another 25 years?
It's a long-term business and I'm confident the sector will still be busy and thriving. The main change which I think, and certainly hope, will happen is that we will be extending the range of services we provide to encompass the provision of energy to tenants and local communities. The sooner the better!
Want your say? Email housingnetwork@theguardian.com
This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. Join the housing network for more news, analysis and comment direct to you