Building safety through my lens

06/07/2026

What does it really mean to feel safe at home? Hattie Hussein, our Building Safety Manager, shares the human side of making high-rise living safer.

By Hattie Hussein

Keeping people safe in their homes matters deeply to me. It’s not just about compliance or technical knowledge – it’s about listening to residents, communicating clearly and taking responsibility. At its core, building safety is about people and the trust they place in us every day.

I’m proud to have grown from a Graduate Trainee Surveyor to a Building Safety Manager at Poplar HARCA. Being shortlisted for Woman of the Future at the Women in Housing Awards was a meaningful milestone – not just recognition of my work, but of the journey I’ve been on.

My journey so far

I joined Poplar HARCA over four years ago as a Trainee in the Repairs team, where my interest in housing and building safety began. Working on disrepair and fire safety cases showed me the real impact a safe home can have and sparked my curiosity about how buildings work and how they can be improved.

Naturally, I moved into the Building Safety team, where I quickly learned that every building is different and brings its own challenges. That variety is what I enjoy most and what confirmed this was the right career path for me.

Throughout my journey, one thing that has stayed constant is working with residents. Listening, responding and helping to find solutions has shown me that building safety is ultimately about residents feeling safe and supported in their homes.

Growing in confidence

As a younger woman in a male-dominated field, building confidence took time. I learned to trust my knowledge, ask questions and speak up.

The support around me made a real difference. My managers and colleagues gave me space to learn, trusted me with responsibility and encouraged my development. That support has been key in helping me recently become a Chartered Construction Surveyor.

Recently being shortlisted for Woman of the Future felt incredibly rewarding. It meant a lot to know my colleagues recognised my work, and it reinforced that with the right support, mindset and determination, you can achieve more than you think!

What I focus on now

In my current role, I help keep residents in 22 high-rise buildings safe, informed and supported. This means balancing major improvement works with the everyday details that matter just as much.

Major projects like roof refurbishments can be disruptive, so keeping residents informed and supported is key. Alongside this, I focus on small but meaningful improvements – clearer safety information, more face-to-face engagement during works, and regular feedback to ensure residents feel involved, not just informed.

Building safety also means getting the basics right – fire doors working properly, communal areas kept clear and balconies safe to use. Alongside this, we use data and smart tools such as sensors that monitor damp, temperature and ventilation, helping us identify issues early and act before they escalate.

Why communication matters

Trust is at the heart of my role. A big part of how I build it is through communication – not just letters or emails, but being visible on site, approachable and available so residents feel comfortable speaking to me directly.

When concerns are raised, I take time to listen and explain what can be done. During roof works on older homes, for example, some residents were worried about losing access to their balconies. By working with colleagues, we found a safe solution that allowed them to continue using the space. This is a small solution, but one that really made a big difference.

Helping residents understand why safety measures are in place is just as important. When people understand how fire doors protect escape routes and save lives for example, it changes the conversation from inconvenience to reassurance.

Growing in the role

Progress, for me comes from being organised, curious, and open to learning. I’ve always looked for opportunities to shadow other teams, which has helped me understand how the organisation works as a whole and build strong relationships across departments.

When I joined straight from university, I had no surveying experience, but I learned by getting stuck in, asking questions and making use of training and support.

Outside of work, I love travelling and have visited 12 countries so far. My favourite place is Mexico – I felt so welcomed there that locals even nicknamed me “Maria.”

Building safety