Why Engage?
Peer support and learning from the achievements and mistakes of others is one of the most effective ways to improve services and involvement. This is why we are keen to foster relationships based around shared experiences and smart practice at regional, sub-regional and trans-regional levels. Within each of the nine identified areas, it is envisioned that the Resident Involvement regional Champion will act as as a beacon of innovation and better working practices to the hundreds of smaller housing authorities within their region. This will involve being an instigator of partnership working on a regional basis whilst acting as an information portal and general intermediary in the field of Resident Involvement.
Reframing Resident Involvement
One distinction that we are keen to make at the outset is that there is a difference between Resident Involvement and Tenant Participation as it has been traditionally practiced. Whilst we are eager to promote innovation and dialogue in all areas of Tenant Participation, our intended sphere of activity is much broader than that alone. We would like to develop new ways of involving the community with a wider slice of the housing sector. This includes looking at ways in which residents can influence housing strategies and policies, how the issues surrounding homelessness are tackled, and how communities can have their say within the larger Third Sector.
