The tenant voices shaping our services – John Walsh | Tenant news

Habinteg tenant and the Chair of our Joint Strategic Impact Group (JSIG) Cathy Smith, talked to  Inside Housing magazine  in March this year and explained how JSIG is offering a new approach to hearing the voice of disabled tenants.

Habinteg started JSIG in 2022 to ensure that the experiences of our tenants influence the way we design and deliver our services. We also wanted tenants and board members to work together to gather insight from the wider tenant base and act on what they learn.

Cathy said: “JSIG, through the voice of its tenants, especially disabled tenants, can drive forward the positive outcomes for all if accessible and adaptable housing is available within communities.

“The lived experience of tenants needs to be at the forefront of the change that Habinteg is committed to developing, and it’s my role – and that of the JSIG members – to ensure that happens in a meaningful way.”

In the second part of this three-part series, we speak to another JSIG tenant member, John Walsh, a Hackney resident, to learn why he joined the group two years ago.

Why did you decide to join JSIG?

I decided to join JSIG to try to bring about three aims:

• Improve liaison connections between local Tenant Representatives, other engaged tenants, their Neighbourhood Team and management staff to enhance the housing conditions and on-site communal spaces for local tenants.

• Improve the issues around repairs and maintenance, on-scheme management of waste handling, cleaning, lighting, parking, and more.

• Reform the sometimes centralised approach of the management to the housing association’s role, with a view to provide a more multifaceted service to tenants.

What do you believe are the most pressing issues facing social housing tenants today, and how do you envision JSIG addressing these issues?

I believe it’s recognising the steadily evolving socioeconomic aspirations of the tenants. JSIG can address them by being forward looking and progressive in redesigning some of the housing associations’ operational systems and restructuring its tenancy models.

How do you think JSIG empowers Habinteg tenants

It provides a very useful way for senior management and engaged tenants to have a constructive dialogue.