Is There a Seat at The Table - Ethnic Minority Voices in Tenant Engagement
Monday 27th of January 2025
Kai Jackson
This has been a two-year journey for me, which has now led me to presenting my report to the sector. As this is the first project of its kind in the sector and which is also tenant led, it was important for me to break the negative stigmas placed on tenants. The foundation of this project has been consistent, and that is to ask the question ‘Why?’ Why do tenants from ethnic minority background choose to or not to get involved in tenant engagement structures with their registered provider, and this was the constant question we never lost sight of.
It still amazes me that an observation has led to this report, it has gone beyond my wildest dreams. But most importantly it surprised me how many staff members have had the same observations which has led to struggles in how can we engage more with ethnic minority tenants and make them apart of the engagement structure. This is one of the reasons why I feel this project has become so well received in the sector because it is one of those topics that needs addressing, but could also cause offense if not done correctly. Which we found out when we were faced with a few rethink moments, such as when it came to terminology and being as sensitive and inclusive, so there was a lot of learning along the way, including the perception of intent.
Working with Louise Holt (Tpas) and Dr Gareth Young (CaCHE) made this project so much more enjoyable and easier because we all had the same goal in mind which was to produce a report that inspires conversation, thought and meaningful changes. What I also wanted from this project was to tell a story and to build understanding of some of the reasons why trust has been lost with ethnic minority tenants, in hopes that the sector can take learning from it and start to build back some of the trust, which is all but gone for many tenants.
The added bonus to this report is the T.A.B.L.E Principals which is designed as an easy acronym to support in strategic planning to reach and engage with ethnic minority tenants and also have their voices be a part of organisational planning.
- T: Tailored Training.
- A: Actively Engaging Communities.
- B: Bringing Everyone into the Conversation.
- L: Listening to Voices.
- E: Ethnic Minorities.
It is important to mention that each organisation would need to tailor their approach to their tenant's demographic, resource and financial capabilities, and most importantly their needs.
Below are a few key messages taken from the report:
Key Messages
- Amplify Diverse Voices: "Is there a seat at the table for ethnic minority tenants? This groundbreaking report uncovers the barriers to tenant engagement and offers actionable solutions for creating a truly inclusive approach. Read more.
- Empowering Change: "Ethnic minority tenants often face systemic challenges in engaging with their landlords. Discover the findings and recommendations from our latest report aimed at fostering trust, respect, and equity.
- Spotlight on Barriers: "Did you know that many ethnic minority tenants feel unheard in formal engagement structures? Our new report highlights the gaps and solutions to amplify these essential voices.
- Action-Oriented Insights: "From trust-building strategies to community-led initiatives, our report offers a roadmap for improving tenant engagement across ethnic minority communities. Explore the T.A.B.L.E. principles today.
- Building Bridges: "Effective tenant engagement starts with listening. Our research reveals key ways to bridge the gap between housing providers and ethnic minority tenants for more inclusive engagement.
- Commitment to Inclusivity: "Inclusivity isn’t optional. It’s time to move beyond token efforts and embrace meaningful change in tenant engagement. Learn how in our latest report.
These key messages are taken from the voices of hundreds of tenants and staff members who shaped the findings of this report.
During the course of this project, we met a few times with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The shared challenge set before me was how could I make this a project that makes a real difference and isn’t here today and gone tomorrow, needless to say I didn’t sleep well for months. But it was that drive that led to me developing the T.A.B.L.E Principals, which is also a framework that can help organisations to evidence that they are reaching the wider and diverse tenant voices when it comes to the consumer standards. Also, to move away from the tick box approach, if the principals are implemented correctly, it can shift the culture of the organisation to think more and deliver more equitable services.
Having a seat at the table means everyone should be welcome.
#haveaseatatthetable
Click here to download the report