Croydon’s plans to transform its housing services have moved forward with the adoption of a Residents’ Charter and a new, strengthened improvement plan, both developed in partnership with tenants and leaseholders.
The council has been working closely with tenants and leaseholders to improve its housing services and make sure all Croydon tenants and leaseholders are treated with care and respect and live in homes that they are proud of.
Croydon’s new Housing Transformation Programme has been developed in line with Executive Mayor Perry’s priorities to invest in council homes, drive up standards, develop the workforce and create a responsive and effective housing service. The three- to five-year plan addresses previous feedback from tenants and the council’s independent Housing Improvement Board.
Strengthening governance within the service also plays a big part in the plans. A new Transformation Steering Board, chaired by the cabinet member for housing, with membership including partners and representatives from across the council, will oversee the work.
The Residents’ Charter has been developed with tenants and leaseholders to set out clear expectations on how the council will treat tenants; with respect, timely responses to complaints and the provision of safe homes that they are proud to live in.
Following its adoption, the Charter will become a formal part of the housing service to improve residents’ experiences and make sure they are able to influence and be involved in decisions that affect them.
The Housing Transformation Board will measure how the housing service is doing against the principles of the Residents’ Charter and performance will be shared with tenants and leaseholders.
“When I became Mayor, I made it a priority to listen to tenants and I’ve taken on concerns from the Housing Improvement Board about previous plans for improving the housing service. Their feedback has helped us in the development of a much stronger, resident-led Housing Transformation Programme, focused on their priorities and I am committed to keep working with them to make sure we get future planning right.
“It’s great that we are seeing progress on our housing improvement journey and positive change within our housing services, however, we know there is still a long way to go.
“Adopting the Residents’ Charter was one of my key manifesto pledges and I’m so pleased we can start to embed it within our housing service, setting the strong foundations needed to rebuild trust and develop proper relationships with our tenants.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
Martin, Wheatley, chair of the Housing Improvement Board, said: “The independent Housing Improvement Board welcomes some strong initial steps which have been taken since the summer, following too long a period with little progress. The transformation programme is thorough, well thought out, and tenant-focused, in line with the recommendations in our previous report. We wish the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and officers well with the challenge of maintaining this progress and we will continue to provide independent assurance on progress.”
