A new commission is to investigate how housing association tenants can have a greater say in how their landlord operates. Established by the National Housing Federation, the Tenant Involvement Commission will seek to challenge housing associations to become more responsive to tenants' aspirations, more accountable for their performance, and offer local residents a greater say in shaping their neighbourhood.
The National Housing Federation represents 1,400 housing associations in England, which between them provide a home to some five million people. With a combined turnover of £6 billion per year, housing associations are increasingly providing community services, such as employment training, childcare and financial advice along side their principal housing role. Associations are key to tackling poverty in some of the most deprived areas of the country. Comprehensive tenant involvement is critical if these activities are to be successful.
Ed Mayo, Chief Executive of the National Consumer Council, will chair the Tenant Involvement Commission on behalf of the National Housing Federation, with an invited panel of commissioners.
David Orr, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said: "For housing associations to succeed in their aim of creating prosperous and safe neighbourhoods, they must offer services which meet the aspirations, as well as the needs of local communities. Housing associations must be more responsive to what people want and involve them in the decisions that affect their lives. This commission seeks to make the dialogue between associations, their tenants and local communities more genuine, meaningful and productive. It is our sector's commitment to change and improvement and we want to hear what people have to say."
The commission is expected to publish recommendations in September, with an interim report in July. The recommendations will provide the impetus for housing associations to increase tenant and community decision-making, strengthening and empowering local people.
Nine leading community and voluntary sector organisations have joined forces and gained £50,000 funding from the Home Office's National Infrastructure Modernisation Fund. The Fund is available to enable national infrastructure organisations to improve their infrastructure and encourage partnership working.
The nine organisations are TPAS, Urban Forum, Neighbourhoods Initiative Foundation, Community Development Exchange, NACVS, Community Matters, Community Sector Coalition, Confederation of Indian Organisations, and bassac. The funding will go towards improving all nine organisations' ability to deliver information, good practice, events, and policy.
TPAS is a membership organisation of over 300 social landlords and 1000 tenant groups that exists to promote tenant empowerment. It is a market leader in Resident Involvement, providing training, information services, conferences and consultancy work.
Team work will feature heavily in the project, with TPAS taking the lead. Urban Forum, Neighbourhoods Initiative Foundation, Community Development Exchange, Confederation of Indian Organisations, and bassac will all be responsible for delivering parts of the project.
Project Leader, TPAS Chief Executive Phil Morgan said: "This funding gives all nine organisations a real opportunity to share on a lasting basis information that will help all our members and the ability to improve our dissemination for grant funded project work. This supports our respective memberships and the effectiveness of government funding."