Get to know our Neighbourhood Team: Meet Janine Clarke | Tenant news

Find out which sunny location South West Neighbourhood Coordinator Janine Clarke would jet off to if she got a bonus holiday, her favourite Habinteg scheme and how a tenant helped her out when she accidentally locked herself out of her office.

How would you describe your role?
I meet tenants, work on schemes and in my office where I check emails, carry out health and safety checks, and respond to tenant enquires as they come in. I am also working on tenancy audits where I see tenants face to face to discuss any concerns or issues they may have. We also discuss positive things too, such as changes and adaptations to their homes, which I help support along with other outside organisations.

What’s the best thing about your job?
Every day is different.

What’s the best thing about working on your schemes?
Being seen, being on the ground and having face-to-face time with our tenants and contractors.

What’s the nicest thing that’s happened to you on your scheme?
One day I got locked out my office and my bag with my car keys and phone were in there. A dear tenant of mine helped me with some bus money and gave me an umbrella, a torch and coat so I could get home safely and dry. It was a wet, cold winter’s evening and the office locks couldn’t be changed that day.

If you had to be CEO of your region for one week, name three things you’d do?
I would hold a scheme meeting and speak to the tenants there and ask them for their views for change and then implement strategic decisions around them. I’d be hands-on with the day-to-day running of schemes.

If you were able to ask one thing of all the tenants in your region, what would it be?
To attend the scheme meetings.

Which scheme in your region would you like to live on and why?
David Harmer House in Portsmouth as the location and buildings are nice, and it has lovely accommodation.

You’ve got a bonus holiday for being a great Neighbourhood Manager/Coordinator – how do you spend it?
I would go on a holiday abroad – to Greece!

How do you think your Habinteg colleagues describe you?
Helpful and hardworking.

If you could choose, who would you most like to live next door to, and why?
I feel I should say my mum, for free, convenient childcare.  

Can you explain what the word Habinteg means?
It comes from the two words, habitat integrans, which are Latin and mean integrated housing.