Delivering On Tenant Participation – Conference report

We had over 90 delegates attend the Housing Rights and Supporting Communities conference on Monday 11 April 2016. The aim of the conference was to help those wanting to implement the recently published Department for Social Development Tenant Participation Strategy and Action Plan. Many thanks to our sponsors Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Apex Housing Association and Choice Housing Association for their support in putting this conference on.

The conference was based around three stages of implementation -  leading, supporting and delivering. 

As well as local contributions from NIFHA, DSD, Housing Executive, Equality Commission, Choice and Apex, we welcomed speakers from across the UK.

Learning from established tenant participation programmes

Our first speaker from outside of Northern Ireland was Nic Bliss, from the confederation of Co-operative Housing. Nic presented research that showed the substantial savings that can be made from implementing tenant participation. He wanted delegates to leave with an understanding that tenant participation is an investment, not a cost.

Jo Robinson, from Amicus Horizon, further built the case for tenant involvement. She presented how AmicusHorizon involves tenants, how they researched outcomes, the impact on business and tenants and their success, satisfaction and scrutiny toolkit (see downloads below).

Tracey Kerr from East Lothian Housing Association showcased the great website that they developed, that has helped their tenants manage their rent payments.

Glenn Adcook, from Aberdeenshire Housing Partnership told of his experience of the impact and need for scrutiny panels within tenant engagement.

Many thanks to our sponsors Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Apex Housing Association and Choice Housing Association for their support in putting this conference on.

The Presentations

Dr Jennie Donald – NIFHA  Tenant Participation And Housing Associations

Colm McQuillan – NIHE Tenant Participation and NIHE -  unpacking the strategy and Community Involvement Strategy & Social Housing Enterprise Booklet

Nic Bliss – Confederation of Co-operative Housing Tenants Leading Change – Investing in involvement and Tenants leading change research summary flyers

Jo Robinson – AmicusHorizon Building the case for tenant involvement and Success, Satisfaction and Scrutiny, Success, Satisfaction and Scrutiny Summary, Tool Kit

Laura O’Dowd  - Supporting Communities – Supporting Tenant Participation

Martin Meek – Choice Housing Association - The Supported Living Perspective

Tracey Kerr – East Lothian Housing Association – Digital Revolution

Deirdre Crawford – NIHE Leading from the Front

Glenn Adcook – Aberdeenshire Housing Partnership – Our Scrutiny Story

Apex Housing Association – Tenant Participation in Practice

Professor David Mullins – Models of Tenant Participation