Social housing tenants will be empowered to
hold their landlords to account as part of a new
government funded training scheme launching today (Wednesday
19 April).
From free advice on addressing damp and mould to webinars
on how to complain about anti-social behaviour, the
training programme will share information like that handed out by
shows such as ‘Watchdog’ or ‘Rip Off Britain’, offering tips and
advice so tenants know their rights and how to access the Housing
Ombudsman service.
Backed by £500,000 government funding, the Four
Million Homes programme will also encourage tenants to take
an active role in how their homes are managed, with advice on how
to set up a residents panel so tenants are treated with respect.
This is the latest government move to help rebalance power
between residents and landlords, following the Make Things Right
campaign and the landmark Social Housing Regulation Bill
currently making its way through Parliament.
The Government recently made improvements to the Social Housing
Regulation Bill including Awaab’s Law, meaning all social
landlords will have to fix hazards like damp and mould within set
time frames, and a measure that will require social housing
managers to gain a professional qualification, so residents
receive a better service.
Minister for Social Housing Baroness Scott said:
Tenants deserve better and this training programme will help
people up and down the country demand a high-quality service from
their landlord.
We are driving up standards in social housing through landmark
legislation and making sure residents’ voices are heard with
digital advertisement campaigns.
The Four Million Homes programme is the latest part of our plan
to drive a culture change right at the very heart of the social
housing sector.
CCH Chief Executive Officer, Blase Lambert, said:
This programme is a catalyst for change in the social housing
sector. It complements other government actions outlined in the
Social Housing Regulation Bill and the Make Things Right
campaign, leading to a better balance of power between landlords
and residents.
All social housing residents need to understand their rights,
know how to raise issues with their landlords and hold them to
account, and be able to shape and improve the services they
receive and the homes they live in. This training programme
will do that.’
The programme starts today at 3pm with an online launch
event. All are welcome to register for the launch and
residents will be able to book upcoming online and in-person
events via www.fourmillionhomes.org.
The training events will begin in May and will run over 24 months
starting with ‘Exploring your right to engage and be heard’,
advising residents of their rights and how to make complaints.
Sessions will include face-to-face accredited training around the
country including in Newcastle, Liverpool, Birmingham and London
and monthly webinars on topics such as addressing damp and mould
and anti-social behaviour. Online training videos will be live
from September to ensure that these opportunities are available
to all via the Four Million Homes website.
The programme was shared with residents on the government’s
250-strong resident panel last weekend, who advise on raising
standards in social housing. Over 100 of these residents have
volunteered to help shape and inform content and campaigns
throughout the programme, via the Four Million Homes Resident
Sounding Board.
The training will be provided by the Confederation of
Co-operative Housing (CCH) and Public Participation, Consultation
and Research (PPCR) - organisations that help empower social
housing residents.
