Section: People in Housing

In Focus: Dennis Rees

This month's online interview is with Mr Dennis Rees, Chair of the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS). Mr Rees is a tenant and the current Chair of the ALMO, Derby Homes. He has been involved with tenant participation in Derby for twelve years and is a member of the Cave Review, a tenant member of the review group looking at freedoms and flexibilities for ALMOs, and a tenant Inspection Adviser to the Audit Commission. He is also Chair of the National Federation of ALMOs.


HMD: Can you 'chart' the route that took you to TPAS?

DR: Yes, I started my involvement in tenant participation in 1993. Our Tenant Participation officer introduced us to a TPAS training course. Late in 1993, we set up a tenants' federation in Derby, called Derby Association of Community Panels - commonly known as DACP. In early 1994 it became a constituted group and I took on the role of Treasurer later that year. I have been Treasurer or Chair ever since - at the moment I am Treasurer.

I became involved in TPAS in 1995 and joined their Midlands Regional Committee. After a couple of years I was elected Chair of the Regional Committee. I was later elected from the Regional Committee to the Executive Committee. I have sat on the Executive Committee for several years and have been Vice Chair twice. This is my second term as Chair.

HMD: Is being Chair of an ALMO and of TPAS helpful or does it present issues to confront?

DR: I find it helpful because I can listen to both sides of a debate. Normally, you are influenced from only hearing one side.

HMD: In the time you have been with TPAS, what changes have you seen in the organisation's role and direction, and what have been the influencing factors?

DR: The changes have been mainly about funding. When I first joined TPAS, the Government was funding TPAS. Then they started cutting funding, which meant TPAS had to cut back on services, close offices, etc. TPAS must be a variable organisation. It's a cold world out there and we have to earn our living and look after our members.

HMD: Can you identify any significant changes in attitudes toward tenant participation over the past ten years, and what do you see as the key improvements still to be achieved?

DR: Yes, the Cave Review. In fact, most of the reviews taking place all talk about 'tenant participation', but we are still not coming forward with the resources to do it.

The CLG and Cave talked about a 'Tenant Voice' but this has to be resourced. Most importantly, if or when it is set up, everyone must listen and learn from it.

HMD: As a tenant, what would be your 'three wishes' to improve life for tenants generally?

DR: 1] More resources.

2] A level playing field for all: This is also about resources. Some local authorities and housing associations fund their tenants' activities well, others pay lip service to it, others don't fund it at all. Some landlords say they are funding tenant participation but the outcome is staff growth - not resources for the tenants' groups, etc.

3] Listen and learn: Tenant participation is being talked up all the time at the moment but everyone seems to have a different aspect of it. I travel all over the country talking to tenants. Most say their landlords seem to listen [to concerns and issues raised] but don't do anything in response. Others say their landlords don't listen at all. But I have visited other landlords who have listened to and implemented what tenants have asked for and welcomed their tenants' input. We can all learn from each other.

Housing Monthly Diary


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Reporting on July 2007

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