Resident groups in Brighton & Hove

This resident-led group is supported by the Community Engagement Team. The group aims to engage with all residents who live in Seniors Housing (formerly called Sheltered Housing).

Interested residents that live in Seniors Housing can ask to join the mailing list, where they will receive information about meetups.

The group meets to share their views and support Senior Housing residents to improve their experience of living in council homes. The group works closely with the Seniors Housing management team. The group holds annual elections to decide on the resident chair of the group. 

The Tenant Disability Network (TDN) is a resident-led group that is support by the Community Engagement Team. The group aims to engage with disabled council tenants and leaseholders, carers, and Personal Assistants (PAs) to gather their views. They also support them to improve their experience of living in council homes.

TDN focuses on housing services, working with council housing managers to help improve services. TDN gathers information about issues and projects that affect disabled people. They also distribute this information so more tenants and leaseholders are kept up-to-date about services and support in the city.

The Home Group is a forum where tenants and leaseholders can get involved in decisions that affect their homes. The Home Group focuses on the parts of the Housing service relating to buildings, such as:

• windows and roof replacement
• repairs called in by tenants
• lifts in blocks
• mechanical or electrical services

Residents set the agenda, chair the meetings and work closely with different housing staff to look at topics of interest. The Community Engagement Team help residents to keep track of topics and actions, including minuting the meeting and making sure they’re welcoming for newcomers.

The Involvement and Empowerment Group brings residents and council officers together to look at the best ways to communicate with tenants and leaseholders. This includes:

• how to support the development of tenant and resident associations
• developing resident training and learning
• supporting the councils Homing In magazine
• developing new ways of reaching and supporting tenants to ensure that a diverse range of voices are heard

A resident leads the group with the support of the community Engagement Team, and they meet 6 times per year.

The Citywide Conference is a yearly meeting for council housing tenants. In the meeting, they talk about changes or improvements they’d like to see in the housing service.  

The conference theme is decided by residents in the Involvement and Empowerment Group. The conference includes topics with guest speakers, a chance to meet other residents from across the city. Attendees can also talk to our senior housing managers about housing concerns or ideas they have.

The conference has been run for several years and is successful in linking residents with council staff. It prioritises residents’ concerns and makes a real difference to residents across the city. All tenants of council homes are welcome.