SOMERSET NEWS: Residents discuss housing issues

RESIDENTS from across Somerset joined forces last month to talk about the housing issues they face for the first-ever conference of its kind.

The Somerset Tenant’s Conference, organised by six housing associations and Taunton Deane Borough Council, brought like-minded social housing residents together to share ideas and discuss the things that were important to them in relation to housing.

Over 80 attendees were present at the event in Taunton which included staff from Yarlington Housing Group, Magna HA, Magna West, Knightstone, Stonewater and Alliance.

Jenny Osbourne, chief executive of the Tenant Participation Advisory Service, who was one of the guest speakers on the day, recognised that things were harder for housing providers now there was less-grant available to build new homes, but actively encouraged staff and residents to shout loudly about resident involvement.

After lunch, residents formed smaller groups to debate a number of hot topics such as scrutiny, communication and repairs.

The ‘unconference’ slot at the end of the day was led by tenants and gave them the chance to talk in more detail about the subjects that most interested them which included diversity, mystery shopping and working together.

Yarlington resident, Deborah Reynolds, said: “I was astounded by the new facts I learnt about social housing, it is fantastic to see housing associations working together to improve the situation for residents.”

Ben Azariah, Yarlington’s resident involvement co-ordinator, added: “It was great to share ideas with residents and staff from across other housing associations and hear attendees discuss matters of mutual concern.

“There was also great dialogue around the campaign for social housing - SHOUT (Social Housing Under Threat) - and discuss how social housing can be kept at the top of the political agenda before the next general election and beyond.

“We are hoping that residents themselves will organise the next event after networking with one another today,” concluded Ben.