GreenSquareAccord and the NHF - Another Cost to Residents

As the cost of living crisis continues to intensify, residents are left questioning whether housing associations are genuinely prioritising their welfare or indulging in vanity projects that bring little to no value to those they serve. For residents of GreenSquareAccord, this question has become especially urgent as failures pile up, leaving many wondering: is anyone truly holding these organisations accountable?

Every Pound Must Count for Residents

In a time when households are grappling with rising costs, every pound spent by housing associations must deliver tangible benefits to residents. Repairs, safety measures, and compliance with legal standards should take precedence over PR campaigns or ill-considered initiatives. Yet, GreenSquareAccord has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of focus on these priorities.

The organisation’s history of unresolved maintenance issues, poor communication, and a lack of transparency has left residents frustrated and disillusioned. This raises serious concerns about whether its leadership—led by CEO Ruth Cooke—truly understands or cares about the needs of its residents.

Vanity Projects or Genuine Progress?

Residents are right to scrutinise initiatives that appear to serve the egos of leadership rather than the needs of the community. Under Ruth Cooke’s leadership, GreenSquareAccord has become synonymous with inefficiency and neglect, prompting many to ask: why is the National Housing Federation (NHF) willing to associate with an organisation so clearly out of touch with its responsibilities?

It is no secret that GreenSquareAccord pays £75,000 annually to the NHF. But does this financial relationship influence the Federation’s willingness to turn a blind eye? Residents deserve answers. What value do Ruth Cooke and Steve Hayes—Director of Communications and a speaker at the NHF’s latest corporate event—actually bring to the Federation? Another event, another cost borne by residents, yet the question remains: what do they contribute beyond writing a cheque?

GreenSquareAccord: A Case Study in Failure

GreenSquareAccord’s failings are not isolated incidents—they are part of a larger pattern of mismanagement that has left residents bearing the brunt of poor leadership. From repair delays to a lack of engagement with tenant concerns, the organisation has consistently fallen short of even basic expectations.

These issues are not just frustrating; they undermine trust and raise serious questions about the priorities of those in charge. How can residents feel secure when their housing association seems more focused on optics than outcomes?

The National Housing Federation: Complicit or Complacent?

The NHF has a responsibility to promote excellence in the housing sector, yet its association with GreenSquareAccord risks damaging its credibility. By allowing individuals like Ruth Cooke to occupy prominent roles, and Steve Hayes to be promoted as some sort of thought leader, the Federation sends a troubling message: that failures are acceptable as long as the cheques keep coming.

Should the NHF not be more concerned about its own reputation? Residents have a right to expect the Federation to uphold the highest standards of leadership and to prioritise organisations that demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving lives—not those with a track record of neglect.

A Call for Change

The housing sector must do better. GreenSquareAccord needs to own up to its failures and commit to meaningful change. This means prioritising residents’ needs, addressing long-standing issues, and ensuring every decision is made with value and accountability in mind.

Meanwhile, the NHF must take a hard look at who it promotes and endorses. Residents deserve leadership that is competent, transparent, and genuinely focused on their welfare—not individuals who prioritise their own agendas.

Final Thoughts

For residents, the stakes could not be higher. Safe, secure, and affordable housing is not a luxury—it is a basic right. Yet, without significant reforms, organisations like GreenSquareAccord will continue to fail the people who depend on them most. Residents must stand together to demand better, and those in power must listen. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust that underpins the entire housing sector.