Increasing tenant participation in housing

Tenant participation has been defined as 'the involvement of tenants in decisions which affect their housing: a two-way sharing of information and ideas, allowing tenants to influence decisions'.

Tenants' organization around the world have discussed different ways to achieve genuine tenant participation. It is seldom a speedy process. However, in the long term, participation may expedite progress in housing because it helps to avoid mistakes and can lead to better cooperation. It is important to avoid tokenism. if tenants are asked for their views on specific topics (such as the problems of dampness) they will be enthusiastic. Most people find it difficult to respond to a theoretical idea or principle, but practically everyone can accept or reject a concrete proposal put to them. In the process, tenants may learn about the constraints on local authorities and thus temper their requests or expectations.

In the UK, both the Tenant Participation Action Service and the Priority Estate Projects have provided a useful service in helping both tenants and housing officers to acquired new skills. In Sweden this is a taks of both parties, the landlords' organizations and the Swedish Union of Tenants. The latter has a comprehensive training programme for tenants, partly carried out a t their own education and training centre in Stockholm.