Social Housing Tenants are coming together to shape the policies that affect their lives
Since the National Tenant Voice closed in 2010, England has had no independent national organisation representing social housing tenants. At the same time, events such as Grenfell and the tragic death of Awaab Ishak have shown what can happen when tenants are not listened to.
Tenants have told us, repeatedly, that their expertise is not consistently shaping policy, regulation and decision-making. So, in 2024 when a passionate group of tenants approached us to help fund some research to secure a mandate from tenants on whether a national voice was needed, and what it could look like – we were glad to help. The result was the Tenants at the Table research project, published in 2025.
We have since secured additional funding to support the next phase of the work, to back tenants in coming together to shape a new organisation, a National Tenant Alliance (working title). We are honoured to be acting as acting as the accountable body while the organisation takes shape. This includes helping to secure funding and providing practical support while tenants lead the way.
Building a National Tenant Alliance
The development of a national tenant voice is being led by tenants, with support from Longleigh and other organisations such as The Health Creation Alliance that bring expertise in engagement and research.
Through multiple workshops, tenants have been shaping the vision, values and structure of what is currently known as the National Tenant Alliance (working title), and a tenant-designed leadership programme is underway to help build a cohort of the potential future leaders of the new organisation.
The ambition is to create an independent, tenant-led organisation that is representative, accountable and connected to social housing communities across England.
Longleigh’s role is to support this process. Tenants are leading every stage of development.
Progress so far
Since the project began:
- More than 100 tenants have taken part in workshops and discussions.
- Tenants have shaped the principles and values that will guide the future organisation.
- Tenant leadership opportunities have been developed to support meaningful involvement.
- Work is progressing on governance, costings, funding and the practical steps needed to establish the organisation.
Find out more
The project continues to develop as tenants shape the future organisation.
- To learn more about the research that started this work, read the Tenants at the Table report.
- Register your interest
- Read the minutes from December’s meeting
Joseph De-Ville
Chair of the 'Voices for Tenants' Steering Group
“The absence of an unmediated national level voice for tenants of social housing is a scandal that needs to be urgently addressed. The release of this report is an important step towards ensuring that over four million people aren’t sidelined in important conversations about the issues that affect their day-to-day lives.”
