Birmingham City Council Intensifies Tenant Visits with Face-to-Face Engagement

Strategic Insights -

Birmingham City Council has conducted around 2,000 face-to-face visits with council tenants over a week, aiming to provide support and gather information on tenants' needs. Housing officers have checked in with tenants to identify potential issues, such as energy cost savings, property repairs, and access to local tenant boards. The council will continue prioritizing visits for care leavers, older tenants, and those not seen in a while. Councillor Nicky Brennan highlights the importance of face-to-face interactions in delivering quality services and resolving issues early on.

Key Takeaways:

  • The council conducted approximately 2,000 face-to-face visits with tenants over a week, focusing on getting to know them and providing support.
  • Housing officers referred tenants for financial advice, identified potential energy cost savings, and noted property repairs or garden work needed.
  • The council prioritizes visits for care leavers, older tenants, and those not seen in a while, with a goal of regular, more frequent visits in the future.
  • Visiting tenants allowed the council to identify urgent housing repairs not previously known about and signpost people to relevant services.
  • The initiative has shown positive impact, with the council looking forward to increased feedback and engagement from tenants over the next year.

Statistics:

  • 2,000: The number of face-to-face visits conducted with council tenants over a week.
  • 59,000: The total number of council-owned properties across Birmingham that will be visited by the council.
  • Care leavers, older tenants, and those not seen in a while: The groups prioritized for face-to-face visits to ensure their needs are met.

Sources:

  • "Birmingham City Council Visiting housing tenants and asking them how they are has been the focus of an intensive week of activity by Birmingham City Council." [City of Birmingham]