26 September 2003
Housing associations are being urged to become broader neighbourhood businesses and improve the quality of life for tenants, in the light of the findings of a new survey.
Areas of housing association properties are generally seen as less attractive than those around privately owned homes or those rented from private landlords, says the survey, launched on September 24 at the National Housing Federation's annual conference in Birmingham.
The federation has spent a year working with consultants to come up with a new image for registered social landlords that reflects the need to provide other services as well as housing.
NHF members raised £700,000 through an additional levy to pay consultancy Saffron Brand to run their ongoing 'In business for neighbourhoods' campaign.
According to the survey, Regional futures and neighbourhood realities, produced in conjunction with the Housing Corporation, tenants believe a good neighbourhood consists of a friendly, peaceful community with low crime rates.
Northern regions have the most sociable and cohesive neighbourhoods with the London area the least, it adds.
Among the ways that RSLs can help to improve neighbourhoods are through child care, transport and training. 'Sustainable neighbourhoods require local strategic partnerships that cut across traditional government and institutional boundaries,' says the study.
Jim Coulter, NHF chief executive, told the conference tenants wanted 'choice, not stigma'. He added: 'Demonstrating excellence in the sector is important, but that must be used to drive real change, not simply to add gloss.'
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