Involving residents in tackling social problems on estates benefits communities and landlords
Involving residents in decision-making has allowed forward-looking housing associations to tackle the intensifying social problems on their estates. Getting residents to draw up action plans has resulted in successful play schemes, youth clubs, job training and other community development projects.
An evaluation study of the pro-active 'Housing Plus' approach published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows direct benefits for the landlord as well as the community and it urges more housing associations to adopt this approach.
Comments from residents include:
There used to be an arch at the end [of the close] which we have had filled in... it almost killed crime overnight
When I first came on the estate, I noticed that people used to hide behind their curtain...and now you can see the change, people are more willing to join us
We don't have anywhere near as much neighbour nuisance as we used to three years ago
We enjoy this estate; we didn't used to so much, but we certainly do now
The report stresses the need for landlords to ensure that the approach is understood and actively supported by everyone in their organisation from the top to front-line staff. It also recommends that Housing Associations go beyond formal consultation with the leaders of tenants' organisations to ensure that as many residents as possible are able to play a part in the design and management of programmes to strengthen their communities.
The report - and an accompanying video by the Quest Trust - follow the steps taken to raise the quality of life on five estates run by housing associations in London. Although the study areas varied in size, age and physical condition, they all included concentrations of single person and lone parent households and a high ratio of children to adults. They were also characterised by high levels of unemployment and crime.
Housing Plus projects were designed to reflect local priorities and were undertaken after surveys, needs analyses and other consultation with residents. They included:
- Creche facilities, mother and toddler clubs, play facilities and holiday play schemes for younger children.
- Youth clubs, holiday schemes and trips, sports and games facilities for older children and teenagers.
- Policing, street lighting, entry phones, traffic calming and other community safety measures.
- Work access projects, including estate-based training, skills audits, vacancy registers, advice open days and employment 'taster' courses.
- Improved cleaning, maintenance, removal of abandoned cars and other environmental initiatives.
- Measures to achieve a more cohesive mix of tenants. Two estates adopted local lettings strategies to achieve their objectives.
Although the full impact of the projects will not be seen for a few more years, the report finds from interviews with tenants and staff that many already believe that life on their estates has changed for the better. Among the lessons that highlighted for future good practice are that:
- Associations need to ensure that Housing Plus initiatives are supported at the highest level and made part of their mainstream policy objectives. Staff training must be part of the overall approach.
- Housing Plus activities require associations to work in close partnership with other agencies, including social services, education and the police.
- Measures need to be based on detailed, baseline research into the particular circumstances on an estate and the needs and views of residents. An action plan should reflect local priorities and set out objectives and targets.
- 'Capacity-building' programmes are needed to ensure that tenants become involved in running their own estates and play an active part in the design and management of individual Housing Plus initiatives.
Richard Kemp of GFA Consulting, co-author of the report, said: "The overall message from this first phase of our evaluation is encouraging. But already, after three years, there are lessons that housing associations adopting a Housing Plus approach should note.
"It is especially important that Housing Plus is implemented as an integrated, mainstream activity and not an optional extra to a more familiar style of management. Successful tenant involvement also requires associations to go the extra mile - reaching out beyond their formal consultation arrangements to engage residents as widely as possible."
