STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 00:01  15 December 2006

Housing Corporation News Release

Housing Corporation warns of action against  housing associations who fail to take resident involvement seriously

15/12/06                                

Media contact: Sandra White 0207 393 2094                                                

Ref:125/06

Housing associations managing more than 250 homes will in future be expected to have at least one resident on their boards and all associations will be expected to provide financial support to ensure residents have the capacity to engage in involvement activity.

These are two of the key proposals being put forward by the Housing Corporation as it  launches its 'Delivering change through involvement' consultation paper today (Friday 15 December).

The paper sets out the Corporation's vision for ensuring residents and communities have the opportunity to exert greater influence over key decisions on how their homes  and services are managed.

It develops the Corporation's thinking about Involvement Statements and Impact Assessments and proposes 10 new ' Basic Building Blocks for Effective Involvement'  that should underpin the activities that housing associations undertake. It also sets out the Corporation's new policy around resident board membership.

Other key proposals for consultation include:

• a focus on the business case for involving residents in developing and improving associations' service delivery;
• a list of additional approaches to involvement, including the widening of housing association involvement activities to the broader community;
• a presumption that resident board members should be elected; and
• a welcome for the work of the NHF's Tenant Empowerment Commission and their work on a proposed sector-wide Code of Practice on Resident Involvement.

Housing Corporation Chief Executive, Jon Rouse said, "Most housing associations already take resident involvement seriously  and we applaud their commitment.

"However, we will not be afraid to take action against the small minority of  housing associations that fail to put tenant involvement at the heart of their work.

"Involving residents enhances the effectiveness with which housing services are delivered, bringing the benefits of new skills and increased confidence to residents and assisting with sustaining neighbourhoods and communities.  Just as crucial is that it builds a relationship of mutual trust between providers and the people that use the service."

Comments are welcome and can be sent to: 

Involvement Policy Consultation

Housing Corporation

Maple House

149 Tottenham Court Road

London W1T 7BN or email:  richard.warrington@housing.corp.gsx.gov.uk 

The closing date for comments is 15 March 2007.

Ends.

Note to editors:

The Housing Corporation is the Government agency responsible for investing in new affordable homes and regulating over 1,500 housing associations across England.  Its biggest ever investment programme of £3.9 billion for 2006-08 will fund 84,000 homes;  49,000 of these will be for affordable rent, and 35,000 will be for affordable sale through the Government's new HomeBuy initiative, helping people to get a foot on the property ladder.