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Tributes paid to former CIH president and Grand Union chair
Tributes have been paid to Steve Benson, former president of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), who died on Sunday.
Mr Benson, a former chair of Grand Union Housing Group, passed away early on 14 April with his family by his side, the housing association said. He had been living with cancer for over a year and stepped down from his role as chair on 31 March.
His former colleagues at Grand Union described him as “a fearless champion for those who are homeless or badly housed” while the CIH said he was “universally liked” and self-deprecating, adding that “the way he dealt with his illness was utterly inspiring”.
He grew up in Stevenage in the 1960s and colleagues said he looked back on his early experiences in one of England’s post-war new towns as a key influence on his housing career.
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Mr Benson embarked on a nearly 50-year career in housing, starting at Welwyn Hatfield Council in 1975. He later moved to the South Coast and held leadership roles in several local housing authorities until 2000. He then led several small, medium and large housing associations.
The last 10 years of his working life were as chief executive of homelessness charity Two Saints, which he described as the happiest of his career. During his time with Two Saints the organisation doubled in size and became involved in new areas including mental health work.
Throughout his career, Mr Benson was very involved in the CIH. He chaired the body’s policy and professional development boards and was its treasurer for many years. He became CIH president in 2008-09 amid the global financial crisis and engaged with three housing ministers: Caroline Flint, Margaret Beckett and John Healey.
Mr Benson held other governance roles. He served as a statutory appointee on the board of Teign Housing in Devon, sat on the group board of Jephson before its merger with Raglan to form Stonewater, and chaired Croydon Churches Housing Association for six years. He also served on the board of Homeless Link, where he chaired its governance committee.
Two years ago he became chair of Grand Union and was looking forward to continuing for many years, until his ill health intervened. In February 2024, he was awarded an honorary life fellowship of the CIH.
Aileen Evans, group chief executive at Grand Union, said: “I’ve never met anyone quite like him and I’ll miss him personally, as will Grand Union as an organisation. Grand Union is all the better for him being part of us for all too short a time.
“Despite his cancer, Steve carried out his duties as chair with diligence, kindness and compassion – just five short weeks ago he undertook a new build stock tour, following which he chaired what was to be his final board meeting.
“Many in the sector will be shocked by his untimely death but we should celebrate the vast legacy he left – his work in housing has positively impacted upon thousands of people. He was a fearless champion for those who are homeless or badly housed and gave freely of his time to many organisations in pursuit of his goal that everyone had a decent home.
“Despite only being with Grand Union for two years, he made a really big impact on board members and colleagues alike. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Gavin Smart, chief executive of the CIH, said: “Steve had such an impact on so many people both working and living in the sector. Universally liked and admired, self-deprecating – the way he dealt with his illness was utterly inspiring.
“I’m proud, and honoured, that we were able to tell Steve this ourselves, awarding him with honorary life fellowship of CIH earlier this year at the Presidential Address and Appeal.
“On behalf of my colleagues, past and present, at CIH I’d like to express our sincere condolences to Steve’s family and friends at this difficult time.
“Thank you for everything Steve, you will be sorely missed.”
Geraldine Howley, chair of CIH’s governing board, said: “Steve was an extremely thoughtful, caring and kind person. He was so passionate and committed to CIH, with his valued contributions making a positive difference to the housing sector.
“Steve was a source of inspiration, and his legacy will live on in the work we do.”
