A new briefing from the Chartered
Institute of Housing, Tribal and TPAS is set to play an important
role in helping housing associations prepare for greater resident
power in the
future.
The
briefing, called Resident-led self-regulation: potential and
prospects, examines how housing associations can improve their
performance, efficiency, accountability and service development
by changing the way they work with residents.
Residents’ role in the delivery and regulation of social
housing is sure to grow and strengthen in the near future. Recent
major independent reviews, as well as professional and industry
bodies, have argued for formal mechanisms that give greater
status to residents’ views and priorities within housing
providers and regulatory systems; and ministers are keen that
national policies drive community empowerment.
Resident-led self-regulation: potential and prospects
proposes that housing associations could give residents
additional profile, roles and powers in the operation of their
whole business by remodelling their existing frameworks for
internal regulation. Resident involvement activities could be
formally drawn into these frameworks and strengthened so
residents are at the heart of self-regulation processes.
Sarah
Webb, CIH Deputy Chief Executive, said:
"Greater resident power will come about through housing
policy in the near future, and housing associations should
prepare for it now. There is no need to wait for regulatory
reform - resident-led self-regulation can be used today to help
associations strengthen their business, improve their services,
and ensure they are serving communities appropriately."
The
briefing identifies the work that housing associations will have
to do to move from existing resident involvement and
self-regulation activities to a resident-led self-regulation
approach. Some will have to undergo culture change and build
capacity, and all will need to develop suitable structures which
give formal powers to residents and ensure the independence,
representation and responsiveness of all involved.
Moves
towards such development are underway in some associations, and
therefore can be pursued in others. A second briefing that looks
at practical ways for housing associations to develop and apply
resident-led self-regulation in ways that meet their own needs
and capacity will be published in the next few months.
*ENDS*
Issued on behalf of the CIH by Jill Dwyer, Media Relations
Officer, CIH Press Office, Octavia House, Westwood Way, Coventry
CV4 8JP. Telephone 024 7685 1780. Fax: 024 7642 1756. Mob: 07786
716961. E-mail: press@cih.org
Editors' Notes:
- The
CIH is the professional body for individuals working in housing.
Its primary aim is to maximise the contribution that housing
professionals make to the well-being of communities. CIH has
nearly 20,000 individual members working for local authorities,
housing associations, Arms Length Management Organisations,
Government bodies, educational establishments and the private
sector. Further information is available at: www.cih.org
www.cih.org
-
'Making the Case for Housing’ is a CIH initiative to influence
the next Comprehensive Spending Review. It highlights the work of
the housing sector not only in helping to deliver sustainable
communities but also in supporting a much wider set of social
priorities such as raising educational performance, improving
health and reducing crime. Continued investment in housing is
critical if we are to achieve our mission of contributing to the
well-being of communities.
