Aileen Edmunds,
Chief Executive,
Longleigh Foundation
The case for a National Tenant Voice is no longer up for debate. Thanks to the publication of the ‘Tenants at the Table’ report, we now have clear evidence, gathered directly from tenants themselves. The demand is there, the need is urgent, and the path forward is within reach.
Tenants commissioned the report with funding from Longleigh Foundation and G15+, made possible by Fusion21, and delivered by The Health Creation Alliance. It captures what over 100 tenants across England had to say, in their words, on their terms, about what national advocacy should look like. And the findings are clear: tenants want real influence, not a consultation tick-box exercise.
The report isn’t the only sign things need to change. The Housing Ombudsman’s recent ‘Repairing Trust’ report highlights a 474% rise in complaints from social housing residents. The message is: people feel unheard, dismissed and excluded from systems meant to support them.
In a recent article, Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway backed the idea of a national tenant body, observing the gap in representation at national level. Combine that with the ‘Tenants at the Table’ report findings, and the direction of travel is obvious.
So, what do tenants actually want?
Not another talking shop. Not top down. And definitely not tokenistic.
The strongest message from the report is about credibility. Tenants said they need a structure that’s genuinely reflective of who they are, across geography, race, age and tenure, to name but a few. It must bring in new voices, not just the usual suspects. That means 50/50 representation: people with and without prior advocacy experience, all paid for their time and respected for what they bring.
They also want a network that isn’t just heard, but listened to at the level where decisions are made. A structure that speaks directly to government, parliament, the regulator and the ombudsman. That builds campaigns, brings evidence and sends real tenants into the rooms where it counts. Importantly, it must report back to tenants about what’s changed.
Joseph De-Ville, chair of the tenant steering group, puts it plainly: “Tenants have been asking for meaningful influence for years. This report puts their words front and centre. It doesn’t just echo what’s come before, it builds on it with clear, practical steps. We now need housing bodies, policymakers and funders to back tenants in taking this forward, on their terms.”
What’s the preferred model?
First, we need to bring together a larger group of tenants to shape what it should look like. So far in the report, tenants have advocated for a flexible, national network or alliance that’s led by tenants, and owned by tenants. Not a government-funded body that’s at risk of being shut down by future administrations.
I love the idea of connecting and building on what’s already happening at local and regional levels to create a connected, independent structure that can scale from grass-roots upwards. Tenants across the country can affiliate, contribute and help shape priorities. It’s a practical way to build trust and capacity while keeping the work rooted in reality.
The report also outlines four key groups needed to get things going:
- An operational group, paid to do the groundwork
- A shadow board, building towards full governance
- A ‘midwife’ group, to guide development and stay impartial
- A spokespeople panel, ready now to represent tenants nationally.
What’s Longleigh’s role in the next phase?
There’s need for an organisation to help tenants secure funding, for their time, meeting spaces and more. We’re honoured to serve as the proposed accountable body that doesn’t lead the tenants voice but backs it.
We’ll help create the space and structure for tenants to lead, and we’re ready to do the groundwork needed to make a National Tenant Voice a reality.
With a new(ish) government, fresh regulation and rising public pressure, the window for real change is open. This isn’t the launch of another initiative that fizzles out. It’s the start of something lasting, with the right safeguards, strategy and support to evolve over time.
How can you support?
Since publishing the report, we’ve already seen interest from across the housing sector. So, if you’re a housing professional wondering what your role is, start here: read the full report, share it with your networks, ask where your organisation fits into this. And when tenants step forward, please back them.
This is a chance to reset how policy is shaped in social housing. Not just for tenants, but with them, led by them.
Let’s stop asking if we need a National Tenant Voice. We do. Let’s build it.
