"People Make The Difference" is a new good practice guide for housing providers issued by the Countryside Agency and the Housing Federation
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People Make The Difference - 14 June 2001

People must be at the heart of successful rural regeneration, according to a new report by the Countryside Agency and the Housing Corporation published today (14 June 2001). 'People make the Difference' is a good practice guide for housing providers, on ways of developing successful resident involvement in rural regeneration.

Countryside Agency director Margaret Clark said: "Without people there can be no regeneration. If they are not involved or not willing to be involved any amount of good intentions will be wasted. Having sufficient affordable housing available is also central to meeting rural needs. This guide shows what can be achieved when local people start tackling local housing problems and the wider benefits that can result."

Norman Perry chief executive of The Housing Corporation said: ""Successful regeneration is always based upon successful partnerships and successful partnerships must include local people if we are to make our homes and communities better places to live. The Housing Corporation is doing much to encourage people to become more involved in key decisions affecting their homes and communities - including next month's publication of our own rural housing strategy which follows through the issue." 

'People make the Difference' highlights the different challenges faced by rural areas drawn from in-depth studies in five rural areas - Partington House Village in the East Riding of Yorksire; St Blazey in Cornwall; Eden Housing Association in Cumbria; Hadstone Estate in Druidge Bay Northumberland and Lily Gardens Estate, Dipton in Cumbira - and further examples from across England. It provides information on a range of practical approaches and techniques which can be applied to make a difference to rural communities.

 

Notes to editors

The guide will be launched at the National Housing Forum 'People make the Difference' National Housing Week reception, Portcullis House, Westminster, 14 June 2001 at 10.00 am. Members of the media are invited to attend.

The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising government and taking action on issues affecting the social, economic and environmental well being of the English countryside.

Case Studies

Tenants' and Residents' groups

  • Landlord-based tenants' forums - Eden Housing Association, Cumbria The tenants of Eden Housing Association have established a tenants' forum. Six members of the Housing Association Board are representatives from the tenants' forum. Membership is open to all tenants and to encourage people to participate funds are available to cover travel expenses. A newsletter is also produced to provide tenants with feedback on the forum and board meetings.  

Giving small communities and informal groups a voice

  • Village Contacts - Eden Housing Association, Cumbria Eden Housing Association has established tenants' and residents' groups which covers 60% of its residents. 'Village contacts' ensure residents in remote areas have a voice by listening to their views and representing them at tenants' and residents' groups.  

Making participation an event

  • Community regeneration planning days - Kirby Thore Kirby Thore is an isolated village. With the support of district, parish and county council, the police and other voluntary organisations the village held a Community Regeneration Day in the village hall. Key agency staff attended, including the county transport officer and local councillors. Refreshments were provided by Eden Housing Association, the local social housing landlord, who also used the event to display material about their housing upgrade plans. Residents were encouraged to put forward their ideas which are now being developed by the Parish Council, Village Hall Committee and residents' association.  

Best Value, Tenant Compacts and new ideas

  • Formalising roles and responsibilities - Carrick District Council A set of formal recognition and support criteria has been agreed between Carrick District Council and the Forum of Tenants. The Forum has been set up to ensure tenants are consulted and involved in housing and regeneration within their area. It also provided the tenants with direct access to the Council's decision makers. The forum can be joined by any representative from the district's tenants' and residents' associations providing they meet the agreed criteria.  
  • Giving residents a choice - Derbyshire Dales District Council Through holding a tenants conference Derbyshire Dales District Council found that time was a barrier to tenant involvement. To solve this the council have developed a restaurant style 'menu of participation' which allows tenants to choose their participation level.  

Resources - ICT Information and communication technologies

  • Enabling remote access - Carrick District Council Carrick District Council was one of the first Councils to respond to the need for computers for members of Carrick District Forum of Tenants. Provision of computers, modems and printers has allowed members who live in remote areas, or with who have disabilities, to play a full part in the forum.  
  • Linking communities - Cumbria County Council 'Genesis' was introduced by Cumbria County Council to provide free access to information on specific community issues to people all over the county. It was a two stage project which began by establishing 30 access points in public spaces in the county then it converted the access points to internet connections. Genesis has become a limited company with charitable status which provides technical support and training. It is also working with the National Grid for Learning to increase access points across the county.