TPAS call for tenant focus in PM's new plans for social housing

Tenants should be at the heart of new Government proposals to introduce greater priority for local people in the letting of social housing, according to TPAS.

TPAS has welcomed the Prime Minster’s statement to Parliament setting out proposals for making the letting of social housing a matter of greater local choice.

The tenant organisation says it supports the creation of strong, mixed communities and the importance of letting homes in a fair and transparent way. TPAS also recognises that communities are strengthened when they are built upon a clear choice by people to remain in the areas where their families live.

TPAS believes the creation of sustainable communities that are diverse but also based upon a positive desire by people to live in an area leads to stronger cohesive communities. This sense of belonging to an area can create more support and stability both for younger and older people. In short, it makes communities more attractive to the people who want to live in them.

TPAS Chief Executive Michelle Reid said, “I welcome the Prime Ministers statement and its commitment to giving local people higher priority in council allocation schemes. This can only help to build sustainable communities.

It is right to give local people in housing need more priority, and right to help people make a positive choice about where they want to live. Balanced with an inclusive approach to people from all communities, we believe this is a positive step forward for social housing .”

TPAS believes that in order to achieve this positive proposal Councils across the country will need to amend their lettings policy to introduce local lettings priorities within their overall approach to Choice Based Lettings. TPAS is asking all Councils to give a commitment to involve tenants in drawing up local lettings schemes.

Michelle Reid concluded, “We believe that only by involving tenants in design and operation of local lettings will local needs be met fairly and sustainable communities created.”

TPAS has also welcomed the Prime Ministers proposals to fund 110,000 more affordable homes and the proposed consultation on giving Councils control over their rents, spending and capital receipts.