Housing 'conversation' launched in Sandwell

Friday 23rd January 2009

Trailblazing council tenants in Sandwell are helping a new government agency – the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) – draw up a set of standards for all social housing landlords.

More than 40 tenants from Sandwell Homes and nine representatives from local housing organisations took part in the “National Conversation”, a consultation exercise, launched this month (January) by the Tenant Services Authority.

In order to get the views of tenants, the TSA is holding 18 “National Conversation” franchise events across the country in early 2009.

As well as arms length management organisations such as Sandwell Homes, other housing providers such as local councils and housing associations are involved.

Sandwell Homes has been chosen to kick-start the process in the West Midlands because of its recent Audit Commission inspection when it achieved a maximum three star or excellent rating.

Launched by Government on December 1, the TSA is the new independent regulator for homes owned by housing associations and co-operatives. It is expected to extend its powers to regulate homes provided by councils and arms length management organisations (like Sandwell Homes) from 2010.

The role of the TSA is to ensure that the voice of tenants is heard at a national level so they will influence the policies that affect them and their neighbours. The National Conversation sees the TSA talking to tenants and future tenants across England so they can understand the things that are most important to tenants.

Views and opinions gathered at Local Conversation events through discussions, questionnaires and feedback forms will be fed back to the TSA and considered when the new standards framework is drawn up.

Peter Marsh, chief executive of the Tenant Services Authority said: “ We need tenants from across England to tell us about things that are important to them – only then can our new standards framework deliver the change that we want – working together to raise the bar to improve services for tenants.”

Mike Babb, vice chair and tenant member of Sandwell Homes Board said: “This is a great coup for Sandwell Homes. We are one of only 18 social housing organisations nationwide that have been selected to deliver a start-up session involving tenants and other social housing providers.

“The TSA was only set up in December 2008, so it is early days yet but I wholly support its aim to ensure that tenants receive excellent services from their landlords – and where they don’t, to take action to improve things.”

Posted by Kim for Sandwell Homes