Ethos Public Relations Manchester

ALMO’S to look beyond the front door

by Ethos public relations

The new Chair of ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) says the role of ALMO’s going forward lies beyond the front door.

48 year old Noel Chambers who was recently elected as Chair said: “The feedback I receive from tenants is we must now invest in neighbourhoods in the same way we have invested in homes. It’s time to go beyond the front door. The challenge is how to do that in times of public sector austerity”

Noel who has worked in the social housing sector for over twenty years is an Assistant Director at Cheshire West & Chester Council. He says taking over as Chair at this particular time is providing numerous challenges and opportunities.

“The government is making new announcements on a daily basis,” he adds “and the new landscape of the sector is still being formed but we need to ensure that ALMO’s seize any relevant opportunities.

“For example, we need to act smarter in order to face the challenges that will come in the wake of public sector cuts.  If councils are forced to cut services there could be a chance for ALMO’s to take up the slack.   I believe our model is well placed to do this.  It has an excellent track record and there is much goodwill.”

Noel says he is disappointed that the government has no further plans to continue with the Decent Homes Standard and believes that council house tenants in particular will feel aggrieved and cheated that they have missed out.

He is also keen that reform of the HRA is forthcoming.

“We are all holding our breath on this,” said Noel. “It really is a big deal for the sector and will determine the future of social housing for some years to come. Government needs to layout its plans sooner rather than later.

“I hope that despite the abolition of the TSA the core principle of giving tenants a real voice in the management of their housing and associated services must remain. At RBH we put tenants at the heart of everything we do and I am very proud to be leading a committed Board, a hardworking staff and thousands of tenants who genuinely care about where they live.”

Posted at 13^th August 2010