National Tenant Council applicants confident in its impact

Almost three quarters (73%) of applicants to the National Tenant Council (NTC), which will be an important part of the National Tenant’s Voice, believe that the NTC will have a significant impact on social housing over the next few years. The survey, which questioned over 250 applicants, also revealed that the majority of tenants who had applied to sit on the Council had primarily done so in order to drive policy changes nationally (77%). The nationwide campaign to find 26 social housing tenants to sit on the 50-strong NTC attracted over 1200 applicants. The recruitment is being led by Hays Social Housing in association with Communities and Local Government (CLG), and an advisory tenant-majority project group.

Perhaps even more positive feedback was the 85% who believed that the NTC would encourage other tenants to stand up and speak out on the issues that affected them. As one tenant said: “There is strength in numbers.” Tenants acknowledged that there was a lot of work to be done, particularly when it came to gaining credibility for the Council. Many respondents, while positive about the potential impact of the NTC, remained realistic and said that in order to be effective it had to be valued by all government parties and tenants. One respondent said: “With the prospect of a general election ahead and the country in the midst of a recession, the NTC must ensure it is a voice that speaks with authority and is heard.”

Respondents cited anti-social behaviour, affordable homes, waiting list times and social housing conditions on the top of their agenda should they make it to the final 26. They also acknowledged that the NTC wasn’t without its challenges; one being that only 4% of those who applied across England were aged 18-30. Applicants largely believed this was due to a lack of confidence in this age-group, coupled with added responsibilities they may have: “Many young adults are raising families, working full time or gaining qualifications, this is not a priority to them” one respondent said. Those setting up the National Tenant Council are already talking to young peoples' organisations about ways to ensure the voices of this age group are heard.
Matt Lewis, Director of Hays Social Housing, comments: “We received a high level of applications from all over England and those short-listed are tenants who have proven they can present their views and will make a strong contribution to the Council. The chosen applicants will be the ones who are confident in taking on the challenges ahead and really want to make a difference.”

For further information on Hays Social Housing please visit www.hays.com/socialhousing