You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Understanding what tenant engagement means
The Welsh social housing regulator is looking closely at social landlords’ tenant involvement. Helen White explains more
They say youth is wasted on the young.
I’d always agreed with the sentiment of this statement, in some ways I still do but I’m pleased to admit that after spending some time at the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru TAI conference recently, I’m starting to come to a different conclusion.
I was inspired by the young people I met who are displaying a real passion for our sector.
Having stepped into a leadership role as chair of the Regulatory Board for Wales, I’m often asked to speak at conferences and events.
When I’m asked for a biography in advance of a speaking commitment, I feel obliged to add my 15 years of housing experience to the mix.
The intent is, of course, to add credibility and gravitas to my contribution. But does ‘time served’ equal better?
Have I got 15 years of different experience? Or is it the same year relived 15 times?
READ MORE
I don’t mean to be disrespectful to the many amazing people working in the sector who have accumulated years and years of experience.
Indeed, some of my mentors have been around a long time. Their advice and guidance have proved invaluable to me as I’ve navigated my way through some difficult decisions at times.
Yet, it was the session on the CIH Cymru Housing Futures work on the last day, led by Rachel Honey-Jones, Katie Howells, Ruth Davies and Louise Shute – four young housing professionals – that enabled me to leave the conference feeling excited and energised about the future.
“What makes this exciting is the fact we are looking to engage and be influenced by ideas unencumbered by years of dealing with ‘hurdles’.”
The Housing Futures Cymru Advisory Board was set up last year with the aim of getting young housing professionals directly involved in the decision-making process in Wales.
They meet four times a year to formulate policy positions aimed at directly influencing policymakers in Cardiff Bay and Westminster. The call to action was made by Carl Sargeant when he launched the initiative looking for young professionals, with big ideas, who can bring experience from the “coal face”.
For me, it’s not the coal face bit that makes this exciting.
It’s the fact that we are looking to engage and be influenced by ideas unencumbered by years of dealing with ‘hurdles’, ‘blockers’ and ‘brick walls’ that all too often serve to stifle innovation and change.
The same can be said about how we need to think differently about how tenants currently influence what we do in housing.
That is why the Regulatory Board for Wales has decided that our next thematic review will focus on tenants.
One of the principles of the regulatory framework in Wales is tenants at the heart of regulation.
The framework clearly states that “tenants are central to the regulation of housing associations in Wales” and places a clear expectation on housing associations to demonstrate tenants are involved and shape services and decisions.
I’m sure there are some great examples of how this is happening throughout the UK. Please share these ideas with me, but what I’m really excited about is the opportunity for new ideas. I’m looking forward to hearing ideas from tenants and people working in the sector.
I’ll definitely be asking the Housing Futures Cymru Advisory Board for their ideas.
“Innovation cannot succeed without failure.”
As many associations in England move away from representative seats on boards we must not let this be seen as the thin end of the wedge in reducing tenants’ ability to influence key decisions.
It must be quite the opposite – a catalyst to think differently and act differently.
We must not accept that what we did last century, last year or even last week will be sufficient for tomorrow.
We need to develop a culture that is more accepting of trying new things – some will work, some won’t. Innovation cannot succeed without failure.
As far as I’m concerned nothing is off the table as we seek to understand what tenant engagement means in a modern housing sector.
The Regulatory Board for Wales recognises tenant participation is changing and we want to understand how we can support and inspire effective ways to engage.
Helen White, chair, Regulatory Board for Wales, and chair, Knowsley Housing Trust
