EMH Group's Residents' Conference
24/11/2009
The challenges of the social housing sector over the coming years have been outlined to hundreds of East Midlands’ tenants by the chair of its NHF regional committee.
Chan Kataria told around 120 tenants the two most important goals were tailoring services to meet individual needs and agreeing a set of local standards. He described them as “difficult but achievable targets”.
Mr Kataria, Chief Executive of East Midlands Housing Group (EMHG), addressed tenants at their annual conference, held at NSPCC Conference Centre in Leicester on November 18.
He said: “In the new era, where consumers have more choice, we want to be able to tailor our services to individual needs. In a huge change from the past, we will measure how effective we are by localised key performance indicators. These are the main challenges for the future and we are committed to meeting them.”
The event was a chance for residents to meet the people delivering their housing services. Group Chairman Michael Pearson welcomed delegates who took part in presentations, workshops and discussions aimed at increasing tenant involvement in decision-making.
There were GMTV sofa-style interviews which tenants took part in and seminars where details of new policies and procedures, such as those to tackle anti-social behaviour, were outlined.
Tenants from East Midlands Housing Association (EMHA), Foundation HA and Three Oaks Homes were invited to the conference as members of EMHG.
Margaret Adams, of EMHA’s Garfield House sheltered scheme in Northampton, said: “We came along out of interest as we wanted to hear more about what is going on. We are very glad we came as we have been made to feel very welcome.”
Fellow resident Lilian Adams said: “The event is a good idea. I think it is important for residents to come along and air their views to the people who can make a difference.”