The influential tenant
Recent assessments of housing association governance in Wales highlight the influence of tenants is essential in the social housing sector
With the recent announcement by minister for housing and regeneration Carl Sargeant to increase the supply of housing, boosting the housing industry, whilst introducing necessary measures to improve housing standards and fulfilling the current demand to people in Wales, this is a crucial time for the tenant movement to be actively involved in the decisions of governance and regulatory issues.
Welsh Government recently commissioned a review into the regulation of housing associations, to be carried out by Cardiff University and Shelter Cymru. The Interim evaluation of the Regulatory Framework for Housing Associations in Wales looked at the new implementation of the regulatory framework and to assess its current status. It assessed the way the Regulatory Board Wales (RBW) carries out its work and also observed the Tenant Advisory Panel (TAP) role and volunteer members who support the framework, to achieve its purpose of ensuring provision of high quality, affordable housing by promotion of effective governance and financial viability by placing the service user at the heart of regulation.
In conclusion to the assessment it was outlined that changes will be made to governance and more influence from tenants is essential in the social housing sector. The RBW has sought to act upon these outcomes and introduce a new group called the Regulatory Advisory Group (RAG) to support strategic actions within governance. Included in the group is Tenantiaid Cymru/Welsh Tenants (WT), the Regulatory Board Wales (RBW), Tenant Advisory Panel (TAP), Community Housing Cymru (CHC) and an independent member of the board. It was also identified that TAP was working well under the new regime although tenants know very little of what TAP members actually do to support regulation and more is needed to raise the profile of tenant participation in Wales. In turn, TAP has recently undergone some major communication changes in accordance with the recent study undertaken by the group members to promote communication between landlords and tenants and to highlight the good practice found in regulated associations across Wales.
A second assessment carried out by Campbell Tickell, commissioned by the Regulatory Board Wales, focuses on the Sector Study of Governance of Housing Associations in Wales. This studies the effectiveness of the board and its members and the engagement with other networks and forums.
For more information about the Interim evaluation of the Regulatory Framework for Housing Associations in Wales and the sector study on governance review, please view the executive summaries for both assessments at www.tapwales.org.uk. Alternatively, you can contact Tenantiaid Cymru/Welsh Tenants.
TAP member Mike Wiseman says: ‘As proven by extensive (TAP) surveying, the sector is lacking when it comes to communicating with tenants and each other. We need to communicate all that is good in the sector, best practice methods and strategies. Communication, transparency and tenant inclusion at all levels is a proven way forward, but like others the budgets are being cut and visiting is minimal – landlords must be on board to reciprocate and communicate with us. The regulators and RBW are also in a unique position to make sure our message is communicated and this must be paramount in order that tenants are made aware of the service we can provide to them.’