Manningham Housing Association (MHA), working in partnership with Housing Diversity Network, has secured funding from the government’s Social Housing Innovation Fund (SHIF), being awarded a share of the £2 million national programme aimed at strengthening tenants’ voices in social housing.
The funding will support the development of a Tenant Board Member Academy, helping a consortium of smaller housing associations across Yorkshire, the Humber and the North East to train and develop tenants. The £70,000 project will run over 12 months, equipping tenants with the skills, confidence and experience needed to take on leadership and governance roles.
The Social Housing Innovation Fund is backing 20 projects across England, each focused on improving how tenants are listened to, involved in decision-making, and supported to raise concerns—particularly those from under-represented communities.
Through the Tenant Board Member Academy, Manningham Housing Association and Housing Diversity Network will work directly with tenants to create more inclusive pathways into governance and ensure leadership better reflects the communities served.
Saqib Saleem, Director of Operations at Manningham Housing Association, said:
“At Manningham Housing Association, we recognise the vital role tenants play in shaping decisions at Board and Committee level, and the need to equip them with the skills and confidence to contribute effectively. We’re delighted to receive funding from the Social Housing Innovation Fund and to be working with Housing Diversity Network to develop a programme that will support tenants locally and strengthen tenant leadership across partner organisations in the region.”