Ashley Horsey shortlisted for Lifetime Achievement in Housing Award 

Ashley Horsey, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Commonweal Housing, has been shortlisted for the Lifetime Achievement in Housing Award at the Housing Heroes Awards 2024, in recognition of his accomplishments in the housing sector over the past 35 years.   

Horsey has held an array of senior positions throughout his career, including in central government, housing associations, a national campaigning charity and in his current position at Commonweal, which he has led since 2010. 

During his tenure at Commonweal, Ashley has developed its model of obtaining social investment to acquire property to find new housing solutions to social injustice. He has also led the charity’s policy work highlighting the injustices surrounding exempt accommodation – a form of supported housing exempt from the Housing Benefit cap – and working alongside policy-makers and the sector to help reform the sector, culminating in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.     

Horsey served as the Head of the Government’s Bed and Breakfast Unit (BBU) from 2001 to 2004, where he spearheaded the reduction in the number of families living in long-term bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), a 2001 Labour Party manifesto pledge.   

Earlier in his career, as CEO of the national campaigning charity National Empty Homes Agency between 1998 to 2001, Horsey’s campaigning efforts resulted in the government reducing the rate of VAT charged on the refurbishment of  long-term empty homes.   

After his time in the Civil Service, Horsey held the position of Commercial Director helping to establish and register the new East London housing association Local Space. During his tenure, the housing association acquired 1,000 properties into the social housing sector with £200m of public sector funding via private finance, marking the largest injection of new funding for social homes not attached to a regeneration project at the time.  

For the last 20 years, Ashley has also brought his experience to bear as a Board member for a number of housing associations currently sitting on the Boards of rural housing specialists Hastoe and the temporary housing and new initiatives focussed association, Plexus. 

Throughout his three and a half decades in housing, Horsey has focused on sharing learning and promoting best practice across the sector to support the needs of overlooked groups in society.     

The award – organised by the leading trade magazine Inside Housing and Charted Institute of Housing, the sector’s professional membership body – celebrates individuals who have made a significant difference in the housing sector.   

Horsey has been shortlisted for the Lifetime Achievement in Housing Award alongside eight leading professionals across the housing sector. The winner will be announced on Monday 24th June 2024, at the award ceremony at Manchester Central Convention. A full list of those who have been shortlisted for this award can be found here.   

Ashley Horsey, Chief Executive at Commonweal Housing, said:” It is an honour to be shortlisted for the Housing Hero’s Lifetime Achievement in Housing Award alongside exceptional leaders across the sector.  I am grateful for the recognition of my work in housing, a sector I have thoroughly enjoyed dedicating my career to. Best of luck to all the nominees.”