Perfect partners

Political turmoil, an enduring recession and severe spending cuts on the horizon combine to make these difficult days for social housing. It has never been more crucial for providers to have politicians on side.

Whatever happens in the general election, there will be many new faces in parliament and town halls and funding will be scarce. Councillors and MPs hold the nation’s purse strings and make decisions affecting housing services regeneration and release of land. Many think little of housing associations, which must work hard to win them over.

‘In the good times a housing association could get away with working alone, but at times like this they need support,’ warns Labour MP and former housing minister Nick Raynsford. ‘If you have never had a relationship with your MP but ask for help when your organisation is pressed for cash, you may not get the response you are looking for. So my advice would be to make this a priority.’

Follow these simple steps to make politicians your perfect partners.

Act now

More than 120 MPs are standing down at the general election, and half of the 650 seats in the House of Commons could change hands. Now is the time to identify potential future decision makers.

‘We’d encourage housing associations to meet prospective parliamentary candidates now, so they know each other before the election,’ says Henry Gregg, public affairs manager at the National Housing Federation. ‘It will be too late afterwards.’

Hyde Housing Association, for example, is inviting candidates on estate walkabouts to introduce them to the 40,000-home organisation.

And, of course, you can raise your profile through House Proud, the joint campaign from Inside Housing and the Chartered Institute of Housing to rev up the sector’s political clout ahead of the election (www.insidehousing.co.uk/houseproud).

Maintain dialogue

‘Part of the problem is that MPs tend to see everything through the prism of constituents’ complaints [about their landlord],’ explains Phyllis Starkey, another Labour MP and chair of the Communities and Local Government department select committee.

The way to overcome this is for associations to tell local respresentatives what they are doing. The MP will then know who to approach if a constituent has a problem and will be more willing to seek the association’s views on legislation affecting the sector.

The NHF recommends that associations meet their local MPs once a year, and keep them informed about campaigns and achievements. The NHF’s constituency links scheme aims to help this happen.

Remember the council

It pays to be on good terms with councils, which will gain more power if the Tories form the next government and abolish regional structures.

When Conservative John Lines became cabinet member for housing in Birmingham five years ago, his council had few links with housing associations. ‘We now work to provide associations with land at a discount of about 30 per cent and help provide grants from the government and region,’ he says.

Housing associations should also maintain a dialogue with ward councillors where they have stock.

Be upfront

‘An MP’s time is precious so you must be very clear about your objectives.’

That’s what Alan Schofield, director of public affairs at Hyde, learned in his previous roles as special advisor to John Prescott and director at public affairs firm Bell-Pottinger. He hosted fringe meetings and held one-to-ones with MPs and councillors, all identified in advance, at the three main parties’ autumn conferences.

‘We went wanting to talk about freeing up new land and new tenancy types,’ he says.

This month, Hyde will attend the Conservative Party spring forum.

Invite them to an opening

Politicians love receiving media coverage, and a humble photo call can kick-start a fruitful relationship.

Plus Dane group enticed a minister to Liverpool to cut a ribbon at a social inclusion project three years ago, and his ongoing support helped it become a leader in the field.

Enterprise director, Erika Rushton, says: ‘He used the stories of tenants he met as case studies and invited us to national events. He alerted us to national cash which helped turn the project into a sustainable social enterprise used by other associations.’

Be inclusive

Housing associations should be non-partisan and recognise politicians as partners.

‘They want the best for their neighbourhoods regardless of party, and their aims are often similar to ours,’ reckons Plus Dane’s Ms Rushton. ‘Our role is delivery agent. We can debate but they make the decisions.’

Her organisation has councillors from all parties sitting on its boards. ‘They have a great understanding of their constituents - our customers - and bring political experience,’ she says. ‘And crucially, they act as our advocates in their worlds.’

Join forces

If other housing associations work within the your constituency, consider a joint approach to MPs or candidates.

‘MPs won’t want to visit all the associations in their areas if there are many,’ confirms Ms Starkey. ‘In those cases, one organisation could take the lead and set up a joint meeting.’

This could be sensible approach for small landlords with little capacity for serious public affairs work.

Be prompt

Inevitably complaints arise, but the speed at which housing associations deal with them is important.

‘They can be variable,’ says Mr Raynsford. ‘I rate providers by how quickly they respond to the queries I take up on behalf of my constituents.’
The NHF recommends a deadline of two weeks for a response.

Respond constructively

Don’t give politicians the brush-off. When Mr Raynsford contacted London & Quadrant about anti-social behaviour within a building split into flats, he received a thoughtful reply.

‘The director came back to me and said yes there was a problem, and that they thought this was an opportunity to convert the building and turn it into five and six-bedroom properties, which were needed in the area. They duly did this and I went to the opening,’ he says. ‘This, to me, is an example of intelligent thinking.’

Be open

Good communication is key to winning the respect of decision-makers. Bill Randall, a Brighton & Hove Green Party councillor, contrasts two cases.
One local housing association took the unusual step of writing to councillors to seek their views over its plans to withdraw from providing sheltered housing. Another time, he learned by chance that a scheme in his ward would be demolished, while chasing up a response to a separate complaint. No one had been told.

‘I think there is certainly antipathy towards housing associations when they have been dismissive of the local authority and haven’t shared enough,’ he says.

‘Of course, local authorities can now build again. If they got the chance I think some would quite willingly dispense with the services of housing associations, except for specialist provision like supported housing.’

An incentive to get the politicians onside if ever there was one.

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