Star Tenants Reap Rewards

Published by Debs Ramsden for Nottingham Community Housing Association Ltd in Housing

Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) is launching a new Rewards scheme to encourage 'star' tenants. 

The idea came about after discussions with tenants who said they thought that people who kept to the rules should be rewarded. 

Therefore NCHA has come up with a scheme whereby tenants who pay their rent on time; keep a tidy house and garden; are not responsible for anti-social behaviour; and keep their appointments for repairs are automatically entered into a quarterly cash prize draw.  

Thirty tenants will win £100 and two tenants will win £500 every three months.  

NCHA is also providing Community Grants worth up to £5,000 a year to encourage tenant groups  to work together to improve their communities. 

Finally, there is also £5,000 up for grabs for individual grants to help tenants and their families during times of hardship. For example if a family needs help with books for college or university; or if they need help with travel or equipment for sports - the personal grants can ease the way.  The grants can also be used towards respite breaks for carers - the ideas are endless. 

The first awards will be made in December and a raft of resident involvement events over the half-term will launch the scheme to tenants. 

NCHA's Resident Involvement Service Manager, Maggie Kelly said "I just think it's amazing that NCHA are investing in good tenants. When social housing gets such bad press it's nice to reward those people who cause no problems whatsoever".