Tenants win national award

Tenants and staff from a south Wales housing organisation have won a national award. Yesterday (WED) ten tenants and staff from Bron Afon Community Housing went on stage at the UK Housing Awards to collect the prize for ‘delivering better accountability and resident involvement’.

Bron Afon, one of the largest social enterprises in Wales, started work last year (31March 2008) following a ‘yes’ vote to transfer 8,000 homes from Torfaen Council.

The award was given for the huge involvement of tenants and staff leading up to the ballot during which they shaped and designed the type of organisation they wanted as their landlord and employer. They then helped to set up the new organisation and their involvement continues to help decisions get made every day.

Duncan Forbes, chief executive, said: “We are a community mutual that is owned by our 1,400 members. They are the shareholders who work in partnership with staff and our Board who are unpaid. Members have spent over 6,000 hours (250 days) involved in shaping and developing our services over the last year. This award shows that local people getting involved in local services really works.

“In Bron Afon, tenant involvement is everyone’s job, not just at special events. It has been a successful team effort since day one. Tenants told us they wanted a new landlord that was democratic and had high levels of community involvement.

“In 18 months we have created 117 new jobs in Torfaen and 48 apprenticeships. As a social enterprise we plan to invest £100 million over the next four years. Nine out of ten of the contractors we use are from south east Wales which really helps the local economy.”

Paddy Gray, Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: “Bron Afon Community Housing has made a real attempt to involve the people of Torfaen in decision making throughout the consultation period and since the transfer to the new organisation. They are worthy winners of this award.”

The awards were held in London.