EMTPF conference

An Investment not a Cost

Tenants Leading Change programme

• National Tenant Organisations & University of Birmingham

• growing effective tenant involvement

• building the business case:• increased satisfaction• improved services• cost savings• other less tangible outcomes

• increasing national dialogue on tenant involvement

An investment not a cost

• investing in tenant involvement can produce financial, service, social and community benefits

• the housing sector needs to be doing much more to identify and publicise the business and other benefits that derive from involvement

Evidence gathering

• 404 proforma responses 194 tenants; 210 landlords

• 86 call for evidence responses • 165 attendees at 9 workshops

• engagement with about ½ the sector• 50% of HA sector; 45% of LA sector• five case studies chosen for cross

section of benefits

Substantial potential business benefits

• cost savings – £6.45 million in 20 landlords

• £29 per property; £118 million if similar cost savings across entire sector

• improvements to tenant satisfaction• service benefits local involvement,

scrutiny/inspections, governance• communications, ASB, regeneration• social dividend, community, mutual

support, tackling isolation, young people• confidence, self-esteem, employability• inspiring and educating staff

Important factors

• trust and partnership working• cultural commitment and landlord buy in• a culture of challenge• investing in tenants and staff• a variety of opportunities• communications – “you need to see it”• tenant leadership

Barriers

• difficulties of getting tenants involved• getting tenants to stand up & be

counted• little recognition for what tenants do• negative experiences of landlords• negative experiences of tenants• practical issues• middle manager resistance

Articulating the benefits

• limited clear understanding and articulation of benefits

• emphasis on processes not outcomes• the role of regulation?• regular reviews with tenants of what is

being invested & what is being delivered

• National Tenant Organisations investigating a common framework

www.nationaltenants.org

07947 019287 nic@cch.coop