Ethos Public Relations Manchester

An Inspector calls (in Hattersley!)

by Ethos public relations

Peak Valley Housing Association has become one of the first housing associations in the country to use its own residents as Inspectors - and Joan Smith who lives in Hattersley is on the team!

Joan is a Peak Valley resident and she has recently completed an intensive 12 week Chartered Institute of Housing accredited course run by Just Housing, an independent best practice consultancy for everyone involved in social housing.

Jac Oldham, Head of Service Development at Peak Valley said: "Recent government reviews and the establishment of the Tenant Services Authority last year have put residents firmly at the forefront in the future development of social housing.

"As a major housing provider in this region, we were keen not just to adhere to proposals - but also to be leading the resident revolution. We already involve residents right across the business - from a local level in resident associations right up to the board room - and it seemed natural for us to take things a step further."

65 year old Joan said: "I am already very involved with Peak Valley and see my role as representing tenants voices locally.

"However, I was quite nervous about doing this intentensive course as it's been a long time since I've been back to school! I did find it hard work and was even dreaming about it in my sleep - but it was definitely worth doing."

"I had to do a lot of research about Peak Valley which is a group member of Contour Housing Group. I was staggered at its size, its remit and the whole range of housing services it provides. Housing Associations don't just take rent and then sit back - they are responsible for so much more and housing is just one part of a whole range of services they provide."

Peak Valley and Contour want their Resident Inspectors to be fully equipped with the skills, experience and support necessary to fulfill a role which will have real teeth and be an important part of the assessment by the social housing regulator.

The Resident Inspectors are free to 'inspect' any and every part of the business from deciding if its website is easy to use, to how quickly it returns empty properties back to the market to how it responds to resident queries.

"The future for social housing providers will see more residents and tenants being empowered to have a stronger voice in the way their landlord operates," said Jac Oldham.

"Our primary role is to provide decent housing to as many people as we can and it's only proper that those people have a voice in the business."

Posted at 29^th June 2009