Tenants, leaseholders, councillors and housing officers came together on Saturday, 31 January for Hounslow’s Housing Conference.
The conference placed residents firmly at the heart of the conversation, recognising that those who live in council homes every day are best placed to help shape improvements to services. The event provided a valuable opportunity for residents and the Council to come together, share experiences and work collaboratively on solutions.
Attendees were encouraged to speak openly about what is working well, where challenges remain and how services can continue to improve. Tenants took part in a series of interactive workshops, giving them the opportunity to outline their priorities, identify areas for improvement and suggest practical ways to strengthen housing services across the borough.
A highlight of the day was the presentation of the ‘Unsung Heroes’ awards, celebrating estate residents who go above and beyond to support their communities. The winners were nominated by tenants in recognition of their dedication, hard work and positive impact on housing estates, contributions which can often go uncelebrated.
Councillor Sue Sampson, Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Homelessness, said:
“Good housing services are built on trust, accountability and listening. Events like this give residents a real voice in shaping the improvements they want to see. This conference has highlighted the positive outcome of the Council’s first inspection under the Regulator of Social Housing’s new consumer standards, where Hounslow was rated ‘C2’, the second-highest rating. We remain committed to learning, improving and being a good landlord for our tenants.”
Residents also took part in a Q&A session, which provided the opportunity to put questions directly to a panel of council officers and cabinet members, including Councillor Sampson. The session encouraged open dialogue and transparency, helping to build understanding and trust between residents and the Council.
The conference concluded with a clear message that resident involvement matters. Participants were encouraged to stay involved through tenant-led scrutiny, local resident groups and future engagement events, helping to ensure that housing services in Hounslow continue to improve and meet the needs of residents now and in the future.
Following the conference, a survey shared with attendees found that 85% of respondents would attend a future conference, with 70% of responses giving the event a rating of 4 or 5 out of 5.
