Taking Parliament by storm!

Published by SOHA for Soha Housing Ltd in Housing

Forty social housing tenants from across the country stormed Parliament yesterday.

The group, from the scrutiny panels of 6 different landlords, were there to see how accountability works through the parliamentary Select Committees.  They represented the Co-Regulation Champions appointed by the social housing regulator and TPAS in 2011.  Each Champion has committed to a set of principles underpinning tenants’ constructive challenge to their landlords.

"I learned a lot about chairing skills and also how prepared the MPs were with their questions," said Soha Tenant Scrutiny Group member, Andy Dunsmore.

"There are a lot of similarities between the Select Committees and our scrutiny panels," commented Barbara Harper, Chair of Salix’s Customer Senate, “We’re both there to get answers and to make a difference.”

Vera Anderton, of New Charter Homes’ Tenant Management Team said, “It was really helpful to talk together as involved tenants.  I think we can learn a lot from one another.”

Chris Nightingale, Chair of Riverside’s Tenants’ Federation agreed, “The networking between involved tenants was every bit as valuable as seeing the MPs in action.”

The tenant group also discussed its support for the TPAS-led Tenant Central, in which the Co-regulation Champions will help provide peer training and mentoring. 

With Select Committee findings so often in the news recently … who knows?  One day it could be a housing enquiry started by tenants such as these which is storming the front page!

Notes to Ed.

1.Ten Co-Regulation champions were appointed by the national housing regulator in 2011 in association with TPAS. They are:

• Amicus Horizon
• Family Housing Association
• Helena Partnerships
• New Charter Homes
• Riverside
• Salix Homes
• Soha Housing
• Wherry Housing Association
• Wirral Partnership Homes
• Community Gateway

 2.Although very different, the Champions have signed up to a set of principles for successful co-regulation:

• A genuine belief and commitment to staff and residents working together
• Transparency and accountability
• A formal, constructive challenge from residents
• Building skills and confidence for residents
• Accountability to all residents
• A representative, resident-led voice
• A belief that what residents think is good for them is good for the landlord

For further information about the Co-Regulation Champions, please visit www.coregchamps.co.uk or follow on twitter @CoregChampions.

3.For more information on TPAS Tenant Central, please see www.tpas.org.uk

4.Tenants or officers from the involved Co-Regulation Champions are available for comment through Catherine Little clittle@soha.co.uk