Newcastle Independent Tenant Voice

The Government has published their social housing green paper on 14 August 2018 and this aims to rebalance the relationship between residents and landlords, tackle stigma and ensure that social housing can be both a stable base that supports people when they need it and support social mobility. Residents across the country were asked for their views on social housing and this consultation gives YOU the opportunity to submit YOUR views on proposals for the future of social housing and will run until 6 November 2018.

Please complete our short survey on the Housing Green Paper proposals and have your say.

For Information: When the Government want to consult on things they would like to do, they often produce a report which is known as a 'green paper'.  The purpose of a green paper is to provoke discussion around a certain topic, often through consultation. Once the Government have considered the feedback they have received through consultation and discussion, they formalise these proposals in what is referred to as a 'white paper'.  A white paper, is a Government report setting out proposals or information on an issue, some of these could introduce or amend exiting laws.  The Social Housing Green Paper seeks views on government’s vision for social housing providing safe, secure homes that help people get on with their lives.

Thank you for your comments - NITV Team

What is it?

Newcastle Independent Tenant Voice (NITV) is a new and genuine conversation between tenants, leaseholders and the council on major issues of interest and concern to people living in Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) properties. Each of the 26,000 YHN tenant and leaseholders will be welcome and able to share their views on major policy changes using their independent voices.

How can you get involved?

There will be lots of opportunities for you to have your say on housing issues. We will use online surveys, social media, pop-up events and work with groups to understand your views. This is really important when policies that affect you - change.

Who is responsible for what?

Engaging tenants and leaseholders in operational housing matters is the responsibility of Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) who manage the Councils housing stock. Any issues concerning individuals or small groups of tenants and leaseholders such as repairs and maintenance, capital works, localised anti-social behaviour, rent and housing allocation queries should be reported directly to YHN through the website https://www.yhn.org.uk/.

The responsibility for strategic engagement lies with the Council’s Fairer Housing Unit (FHU).  Strategic engagement includes seeking the views of tenants and leaseholders on changes to the way properties are allocated, proposals to increase rents or other issues as a result of changes in legislation or policy.

The FHU will use NITV to engage and consult tenants and leaseholders when new national or local policies are going to change. They will also use NITV to actively listen to tenants and leaseholders through the Tenant Panel to influence and shape work that affects council housing in the City. Future engagement on strategic housing issues will be delivered by the Council’s Communities Team who can be contacted on nitv@newcastle.gov.uk.

Tenant Panel

An important part of NITV is the Tenant Panel. This group will be made up of tenants and leaseholders from across Newcastle representing different ages and backgrounds. They will be responsible for interpreting the information gathered from all tenants and leaseholders and then presenting it to the FHU. The FHU will use this information to make their decisions which will be fed back to the Tenant Panel and those involved in the engagement process.

The Panel will also be able to shape how tenants and leaseholders across the city are engaged. This will include developing an engagement plan and a digital plan with the help and support of the Communities Team. The intention is that all work should be owned and shaped by tenants and leaseholders to allow them to make their independent voices heard.

If you are interested in learning more about the Tenant Panel or think you would like to join please email the Communities Team on: nitv@newcastle.gov.uk

What’s next?

Recruitment to the Tenant Panel is ongoing so get in touch if you would like to be involved.

You can also follow our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NewcastleIndependentTenantVoice/.

The Newcastle Independent Tenants Voice Fund

Newcastle City Council and Your Homes Newcastle recognise the need for tenants and leaseholders to be involved in making decisions about their homes and have identified a funding pot to support participation and involvement. The fund is provided through the Housing Revenue Account and enables local people to be central in developing and influencing housing policy and making decisions about what matters to them, their homes.

Who is the fund for?

The fund is open to all tenants and leaseholders living in a Your Homes Newcastle properties. Whether you are part of a locally managed community group or an individual that are looking to make a positive difference in their neighbourhood around housing issues.

The Purpose?

The fund has been designed to encourage tenants and leaseholders to participate and engage in housing policy and practice.

Anyone who wants to be involved in housing initiatives and to use their personal interest and creativity to be involved in decisions around housing issues can participate weather you are an individual or part of a group.

The fund is intended to engage as many local tenants and leaseholders as possible and provide opportunities through training and networking at a grass roots level while building up links and connections and strengthening bonds in communities.

How much is available?

There is £5,000 available that can be awarded to support tenants and leaseholders involvement in influencing decision makers around housing policy and services. If you meet the criteria you can apply for grants ranging between £50 - £500.

What are the funds available for?

• Support tenants and leaseholders to improve their housing knowledge and experience;

• Provide opportunities and resources for training and personal development;

• Help support representatives from neighbourhoods to revitalise their involvement in housing changes;

• Helping tenants and leaseholders to play a leading role in developing housing policy and practice;

• To help raise skill levels and increase housing knowledge so tenants and leaseholders can actively participate in the tenant’s voice panel;

• Training courses relevant to housing policy and practice;

• Attending conferences about housing policy and standards;

• Support with costs around transport, crèche and light refreshments;

For more information please contact the Communities Team on nitv@newcastle.gov.uk

Repairs and maintenance - survey feedback

Thank you to everyone who took part in our recent online survey, we now have the results for you to view in our short video below.

Allocations and Lettings policy - survey feedback

Thank you to everyone who took part in our recent online survey, we now have the results for you to view in our short video below.

If you would like to view YOUR questions and answers please click here.

In April 2017, we will publish the 'old' and 'new' policy for you to view the changes you have made, please click on this link to view Old Allocations and Lettings Policy and please click here to view the New Allocations and Lettings Policy.

If you would like any further information please email: nitv@newcastle.gov.uk

Events and Activities

For more information about what is happening in your area please see events and activities 

Newcastle Repairs and Maintenance service

Do you live in a Your Homes Newcastle property? This is your chance to shape the future of the Repairs and Maintenance Service.

Please click on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/and-m-NITV  to have your say. If you enter your contact details you will be entered into our prize draw to have a chance of winning £20 intu Eldon Square or Metro Centre vouchers.

Why is it important?

Newcastle City Council and Your Homes Newcastle are currently reviewing how we deliver the repairs and maintenance service. We know the repairs service is important to customers, and previous feedback from a survey carried out in July 2016 highlighted the areas that we need to improve. By completing this survey, you can now tell us what improvements you would like to happen in the future. All feedback and suggestions will be considered and your views really can make a difference, so please have your say.

This survey will run from Tuesday 8 November until Sunday 4 December 2016.

For more information about the consultation or if you would like assistance in completing the form, please email: nitv@newcastle.gov.uk.

Have your say now on the Allocations and Lettings policy

Do you live in a council house? This is your chance to have your say on possible changes to the Allocations and Lettings Policy. This policy describes how people are matched to houses around the city so is really important for any one applying for a council house, and also people who want to move properties.

Complete our short survey here.

What is the Allocations and Lettings Policy?

This policy describes how people are matched to appropriate council properties in a way that;
•meets people’s needs
•makes the best use of the homes we have
•helps create and maintain sustainable communities where people want to live
•balances competing demands
•ensures all customers are treated fairly.

This survey will run from 8 November to 30 November 2016.

Please take a few seconds to watch our advert for the NITV programme.