A new dawn for the National Tenant Voice?

Tenant organisations have received £50,000 of Government funding to look at ways to continue the National Tenant Voice Council.

A 50-strong tenant council was set up as part of the £1 million National Tenants Voice (NTV), which was abolished shortly after the coalition's election victory.

The New Dawn Project will involve members of the NTV Council, boards and membership from:

• Tenants and Residents Organisations of England (TAROE)
• Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS)
• National Federation of Tenant Management Organisations (NFTMO)
• Confederation of Co-operative Housing (CCH)

Cora Carter, the former Chair of TAROE, and former Board member of the NTV said, "This grant will enable us to find ways of keeping a National Tenant Council in some form. At a time of proposed major changes to social housing, a strong national voice for tenants is needed more than ever before."

Grant funding will come from the Tenant Empowerment Programme, and 'New Dawn' will have 3 phases:

1. an exploration of available options
2. a feasibility study, with a strong focus on financial viability
3. a consultation on the way forward

The grant will be managed by TPAS, and work will be completed before April 2011.