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We must work to improve satisfaction with housing
• AS chairs of the major committees representing residents of Camden’s council housing we aim to protect and improve that housing and the services to its residents.
We are dismayed at Camden’s scores in the 2006/7 Local Authority User Survey. Residents’ opinions of their council landlord are worse in London than elsewhere in the country, and Camden’s scores are poor for London, as set out below.
We are determined to improve the participation of residents in our work. Excluding anyone from the organisations we lead weakens us and what we can do. This is not in the interests of the residents we already try to represent, let alone those who feel excluded.
This means improving the current structure; making it more inviting to all residents of Camden’s housing; and improving communications with all of them. We are already meeting recognised groups of residents, and will extend this to other groups who know the concerns of our BME and disabled fellow-residents.
If anyone or any group wishes to meet us and put their point of view, please contact us through Karen Orr on 020 7974 3901 or by email at Karen.Orr@camden.gov.uk
Only one Camden score approaches the London average; tenant overall satisfaction with the housing service among those who are not black or a member of a minority ethnic group (BME). All residents show low levels of satisfaction with the opportunities for participation, particularly those who are not BME, with only eight of 201 local authorities worse than Camden. Only 53 per cent of BME residents are satisfied with the housing service, well down the bottom quarter in London. Only 52 per cent of BME tenants are satisfied with participation.
Leaseholder satisfaction is worse still; only 35 per cent are satisfied with the overall housing service, and only 26 per cent think it offers value for money. Only 27 per cent are satisfied with the repairs service, and 30 per cent with major works. Only 29 per cent are satisfied with opportunities for involvement, and this has fallen by six per cent since the last survey in 2004. With 18 per cent of leaseholders very dissatisfied, compared to nine per cent of tenants, we have to improve this situation.
CHARLIE HEDGES
Fran Heron, Brian Pordage, Larraine Revah, David Rodgers, Peter Wright
chairs of the district management committees, Camden Leaseholders’ Forum, and Association of Street Properties
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