London's MPs improving view of housing associations

London’s MPs perceptions of housing associations on key issues have significantly improved over the past year, according to research by pollsters ComRes . The research was commissioned by the G15 group of leading London housing associations following an intensive programme of meetings with the capital’s MPs.

The survey compared results with a similar survey carried out in July 2008, immediately prior to G15 commencing its meeting programme, and it found that MPs are now more positive about many aspects of housing associations’ work.

Overall, 74% of respondents rate the value of the work done by associations as either 4 or 5 out of a possible 5, compared with only 58% on the earlier survey. Looking at activities in more detail, 70% of MPs believe that associations are “fairly” or “very successful” in managing the nominations process and 75% give the same rating on how well they undertake repairs and maintenance. In addition, 50% of the MPs now say that associations’ social investment programmes are “fairly” or “very successful”, up from only 19% who had given that rating 16 months earlier.

Stephen Howlett, chair of G15 and chief executive of Peabody, said:

“We are delighted with the improving attitudes among London’s MPs. We have met one third of London’s MPs over the past year to discuss with them the activities of the G15 associations in their constituencies. We know that it is important to engage with MPs, and this survey shows that we are getting our messages across.”

Over the past year, chief executives from the G15 have met with 23 London MPs. On average, G15 members house 13,000 people within each of these MPs’ constituencies.

“In the past, much of the engagement with MPs has been around individual casework, which is by its nature dealing with a difficult issue,” said Stephen Howlett.

“Now when we meet, the MP can put this casework in the context of the many thousands of households within their constituency who are very happy with the service they are receiving.

“We are particularly pleased with the improved perceptions of our various social investment programmes. G15 associations have always invested a great deal into these schemes, but last year’s survey showed us that MPs were not aware of the good work we were doing, so we have made sure that we have focused on this aspect of our work when speaking with MPs.”

There is however no room for complacency, as the survey highlights further areas where improvement is needed. Only 30% of London MPs believe that associations are successful in involving residents, and only 20% believe that they are successful in dealing with anti-social behaviour.

% of London MPs rating activity as being very successful or fairly successful: July 2008 ¦ November 2009

• Managing nominations from local authorities: 38% ¦ 70%
• Undertaking repairs and maintenance: 40% ¦ 75%
• Dealing with anti-social behaviour: 24% ¦ 20%
• Social investment programme: 19% ¦ 50%
• Involving residents: 20% ¦ 30%
• Overall value of work done by associations: (%age awarding 4 or 5 marks out of 5) 58% ¦ 74%

The G15 will continue its dialogue with MPs up to and after the election on the key issues, such as the need for more housing in London. The G15 will also assess how partnership working can be developed to involve residents and to tackle ASB.

–Ends–

For more information contact Neil Young, Peabody's media relations officer, on (020) 7021 4210 or neil.young@peabody.org.uk.

Notes for editors:

• The G15 is a group of London housing associations. Its central objective is to build diverse and sustainable communities – places where people want to live now and in the future. To this end it combines housing work with a variety of innovative community and economic development programmes.
• G15 associations manage around 410,000 homes and house around 1 in 10 Londoners – some 700,000 people. www.g15.org.uk