Tenants help shape the future of housing services

Tenants from social housing schemes from across the East of England gathered together in late June at the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Eastern Regional Focus meeting jointly hosted by Rochford Housing Association and South Essex Homes.

Over 70 residents from across Essex attended the event in Rochford, which provided a valuable opportunity for residents and staff from TPAS and local housing associations to meet, share ideas and learn about initiatives taking place in the region.

The event was also the perfect platform for resident-led discussions on the Tenant Service Authority’s Draft Standards Framework for Landlords. The TSA launched the largest ever consultation back in December involving literally thousands of residents and their latest discussion paper launched this June sets out their early thinking on how regulations might work in 2010.

Tenant Services Authority (TSA) Chief Executive Peter Marsh said: "We are encouraging landlords and tenants to give us their thoughts and ideas on the draft proposals we published on the 9th June. It's only by working together in this way that we can genuinely build a set of standards that deliver what tenants want in the places they live."

Following the lively round-table discussions on the TSA’s proposals, representatives from Rochford Housing, South Essex Homes and the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group gave presentations on a variety of topics, including how to crack the credit crunch, tackling antisocial behaviour, engagement with young people in the community and the government’s decent homes standard.

Simon Clark, Director of Customer Services for Sanctuary Group added: “Resident involvement is at the very heart of Sanctuary’s work. It allows us to shape and improve our services to meet their needs which is why events like this are so valuable. We have received a high level of ideas and feedback directly from residents, not just our own tenants, and we look forward to following up many of the suggestions put forward today.”

Hayley Allen, South Essex Homes resident involvement manager said: “ South Essex Homes were really pleased to host this event on behalf of TPAS.

We think this is a really good opportunity to share good practise on a regional basis and hear more about current issues that impact on resident’s lives. It is really important that resident are involved at the heart of South Essex Homes services and we have come on in leaps and bounds making sure this aspiration is a reality”.