AHBRA’s Quarterly Newsletter

Issue 3 – November 2022

A message from our CEO – Susanna Lyons:

Welcome to the third issue of our quarterly newsletter.

The past quarter has seen AHBRA launch its regulatory framework and we are pleased to confirm that Statutory regulation and oversight of the AHB Sector is now firmly underway. We encourage all AHBs to ensure they engage with the regulatory framework, participate in educational webinars conducted by AHBRA and utilise all our published advice and guidance.

In this issue we provide an update on the Monitoring and Pilot Assessment programme, publication of Standards Guidance, the publication of Regulatory Framework, among other highlights. Our website also contains important and up-to-date information, and we encourage you to visit.

Please share the newsletter with colleagues and encourage them to subscribe to our mailing list.

Susanna

Publication of Guidance to Support Standards for AHBs

In August, AHBRA published 4 separate Guidance documents for each of the standards for AHBs, which are Governance, Finance, Property & Asset Management and Tenancy Management.

The guidance aims to help AHBs better understand the Regulatory Standards and to provide advice on how organisations can best demonstrate compliance with the Standards.

This guidance is suitable for all AHBs, but also provides clarity on how proportionality will be considered. It also sets out expectations for different types or categories of AHBs, where relevant.

Monitoring Programme

In September 2022 AHBRA launched its first Annual Monitoring programme for AHBs. As part of the monitoring process AHBs are requested to submit a range of data and information relating to their organisation’s activities. The information and data captured will be used by AHBRA to consolidate sector wide information, identify risk trends, influence educational and guidance programmes, and inform our assessment programme(s). We also intend to publish an annual sector analysis as part of this process.

This is an important function for AHBRA as we will analyse and evaluate this information as part of our risk-based approach to regulation.

AHBRA issued the Annual Monitoring Form to all AHBs listed on our AHB register. The monitoring form is split across 9 sections, asking AHBs to answer questions on key areas relating to their organisation. The form is accompanied by an Explanatory note to guide AHBs through completing the form. Additionally, we held a series of webinars to give further guidance on how to complete the form. Recordings of these webinars are available here

The deadline for submission of the monitoring form was the 4th of November. However, if you have not yet submitted your annual monitoring form, you should do so as soon as possible.

Pilot Assessment Programme

In August, AHBRA issued notification to 15 selected AHBs requesting information and documentation for the Pilot Assessment programme with a deadline for submission of the 4th of November. The chosen AHBs were selected strategically to represent the range of different types of AHBs across the sector, including a selection of AHBs who have not engaged in the RFI.

The Pilot programme begins the implementation of one of the key regulatory functions of AHBRA; to Assess AHBs against the Standards. It represents another huge step forward to becoming an operational Regulator. The purpose of the pilot assessment is to test the internal assessment processes and procedures of AHBRA. The Pilot also aims to get input and provide feedback from cross section of AHBs, which will be essential when rolling out a proportionate and effective planned assessment programme in 2023.

Two online information sessions were held in October for participating AHBs which provided additional detail about the Pilot Assessment and what is required with a Q&A session held at the end of each webinar.

Regulatory Framework

AHBRA published The Regulatory Framework for Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) on our website in September 2022.

The Regulatory Framework outlines the range of ways that AHBRA intends to carry out its work, the application of our risk-based approach, and details the key components of the Regulatory Framework including, Standards, Guidance, Monitoring, Assessments, Notifiable Events and Concerns, regulatory outcomes, regulatory oversight, appeals and FOI.

A copy of the Framework is available for download on our website.

ICSH Biennial Finance & Development Conference 2022

On the 19th and 20th of October, representatives from AHBRA attended the ICSH Biennial Finance & Development Conference in Sligo.

Steven Sheridan presented to delegates on the first day on the topic of ‘Securing the future of the AHB sector’. On the second day of the conference CEO Susanna Lyons presented on ‘Leading the sector towards a sustainable financial future’.

The conference was a great opportunity to meet with key stakeholders and representatives from all over the sector in person.

A copy of the presentation can be found on our website.

Keep an eye out for:

Feedback on Pilot Assessment Programme – AHBRA will be providing feedback on the outcome of the Pilot Assessment Programme.

Sectoral Analysis – Using the information provided by AHBs in the Annual Monitoring form/programme AHBRA will publish Sectoral Analysis in early 2023.

For updates and information:

In order to receive the latest AHBRA updates, information, and invites to events, please subscribe to our mailing list by contacting communications@ahbregulator.ie

For general queries: email us at info@ahbregulator.ie or call 01 – 224 3900