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| It is hard to pinpoint
exactly when it all started, but Tenants & Residents Associations
have enjoyed a long history in Sandwell. Long before tenant
participation became a buzz word within social housing, TRA's
in Sandwell were actively petitioning their local authority
landlord for speedy repairs and major improvements, such as
central heating and double glazing. |
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| In the dark and
distant past, the relationship of TRA's with their landlords
had been somewhat chequered, and the tenants rights that we
take for granted today, were major triumphs that were fought
hard for by the fledgling tenant movement. Unlike many other
local authorities at the time, Sandwell had an unusually progressive
view towards tenant involvement, and provided basic support
to those who wished to form tenants and residents associations.
Nevertheless, the majority of tenants (locally and nationally),
seeking to improve things for themselves and other tenants,
were often met with resistance and official barriers. |
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| A few years on and
the emergence of national tenant organisations, greatly assisted
the development of local TRA's and other tenant led organisations.
In Sandwell this process really began to take off when a group
of like minded tenants formed the Sandwell Tenants & Residents
Federation (STRF), which would in the course of time evolve
into SCIPS. There
was now the mechanism for tenants to build skills to:- |
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- Gain a national
overview.
- Train and gain
experience in housing and related issues.
- Have access
to relevant information such as housing law and policy.
- Gain advice
and practical assistance for local issues.
- Petition landlords
for tenant involvement and influence.
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There is no doubt
that the services offered from national organisations had
a positive impact on pace and development of the tenants movement
here in Sandwell.
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