Camden Fed is here to help tenants associations in the following ways:

• help new tenants and residents associations to set up
• support established associations
• produce briefings, newsletters and information
• link tenants locally and nationally
• provide training on housing matters and organisational skills
• provide resources such as computers & photocopying
• support tenants in their campaigns

How it works

Camden Fed, in collaboration with Camden’s TP Team, supports tenants by helping them to set up their Tenants and Residents Associations or to get involved in other methods of participation. There are over 100 Council tenant and resident associations in Camden, both on estates and in street properties. They have been set up to:

• get action from the council on repairs and improvements
• have a say in the policies the Council makes for the management and maintenance of Council homes
• keep everyone in their area informed
• link up with other tenants and residents associations
• bring communities together through social and other events

With the support and interest of people in your area and a core group of people (the Committee) willing to see that things get done you can do some or all of these.

Making it accountable

Tenant and resident associations have strength and credibility because they represent the views of the majority rather than an individual. They have a set of rules (the Constitution); so that everyone understands the way the group works.

The committee is elected at a meeting to which all residents in the defined area are invited (a General Meeting). This open meeting takes place every year (the Annual General Meeting) to report on what the association has done and elect a committee to carry on for the following year. The Committee is the core group of people who meet between General meetings to follow up any action agreed by the residents.

The General or Annual General meeting elects at least 4 named people (Officers) to carry out the tasks of the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. One officer is also elected to represent the views of the association at the District Management Committee (DMC) meetings. These DMC’s are the main body through which the Council consults associations.

Other ways of being involved

There are many other forums apart from the DMC looking at specific subjects, which do not necessarily involve members of tenant and resident associations. The District Monitoring Panels monitor how the District Housing Office is performing; the Camden Association of Street Properties brings together residents of Camden’s scattered street properties. The involvement of residents is key to the future of Council housing and there are many more ways to get involved than through an association. Tenant associations remain the most democratic and accountable way of reflecting local views.

Camden’s Tenant Participation team and the Camden Fed are able to arrange training for tenants. Training includes:

• Basic to advanced computer training
• Roles of TRA Officers and running effective meetings
• Fundraising
• Understanding Housing Finance
• Tackling anti-social behaviour
• Widening Involvement in our Communities
• Major repairs and improvements
• Where does my rent go?
• Running social events
• and much, much more

Send us an email saying what you would like to be involved in