The Voice of a New Future

Published by JenCooke for National Federation of ALMOs in Housing and also in Central Government

The NFA Elects New Chair to Represent England’s 69 ALMOs

The National Federation of ALMOs (NFA), the body that represents the organisations that manage more than two million council tenants across England, has elected a trio of women to lead the organisation for the first time.

Board member Alison Inman has become Chair of the NFA with Sue Roberts and Juliet Rawlings MBE becoming Vice Chairs of the organisation.

With this appointment Alison Inman becomes one of the most powerful voices influencing the future of council housing and will play a key role in leading the country’s 69 Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOS) at a crucial time in social housing.

Alison’s position as the new Chair of the NFA comes against a backdrop of some of the most significant changes to happen to the sector in the last 30 years - changes which signal an increasingly important role for ALMOs.

Commenting on her appointment, Alison said:

“ALMOs have made fantastic advances in securing a long term, sustainable option to improve the homes, lives and communities of tenants across the country and I’m incredibly proud to represent both the body and the millions of residents we are working for.”

“Having previously been a council tenant for a number of years I can speak firsthand about what most council tenants want – and that is the same as most private home owners: to live in decent homes within safe, friendly communities, with access to the support services and opportunities that help families and individuals thrive and flourish.”

An NFA Board member since 2008, Alison has helped to promote the NFA’s increasing national influence and a central element of her role will be continuing to grow its authority with national and local Government, policy makers and the national media, championing the interests of ALMOs.

A mother, magistrate and law graduate, Alison was elected Chair of Colchester Borough Homes – the Essex-based ALMO which manages 6,300 homes - in 2008, having been an independent board member since 2007.

Alison takes over as Chair from Dennis Rees OBE, who is stepping down after five years in the post.

As Chair of the NFA, Dennis oversaw a number of significant milestones for the NFA including the launch of the highly successful All Party Parliamentary Group for ALMOs in 2006 and the creation of a much stronger national voice and political influence for the NFA. This culminated in the government’s landmark announcement earlier this month which dismantled the HRA Subsidy system paving the way for ALMOs to play an even greater role in delivering the country’s social housing.

During Dennis’ tenure the number of ALMOs has grown from 38 to 69 across England and more than 220,000 homes have been brought up to the government’s Decent Homes standard.

Alongside the appointment of the new Chair and Vice Chairs, the NFA has also elected a new board. This is made up of nine representatives from ALMOs across the country and will be effective until 2011.

The National Federation of ALMOs represents and promotes the ALMO option in council housing management. There are over one million ALMO managed council homes across England, more than half of the total stock.

ALMOs have attracted support from all three main political parties for their success in increasing tenant involvement, improving homes and communities and enhancing the quality of life for those living on some of the most challenging estates in the country.