BME tenants get on board to see Sheffield’s housing transformation
Black and minority ethnic (BME) council tenants are going on a coach tour of Sheffield to see for themselves how the transformation of thousands of the city’s homes will affect them.
Sheffield Homes’ £1 billion Decent Homes programme is the biggest housing investment programme in the country and it will mean that all 52,000 council-owned properties will exceed the Government’s standards for homes by 2010.
The BME Tenants’ Forum, which was formed by Sheffield Homes to help ensure these tenants had a voice and were not disadvantaged, wanted to find out more about the Decent Homes initiative and how it will affect their lives.
Sheffield Homes has organised a special event next month, including a coach tour to areas where work has been completed, so that BME tenants can meet tenants who have already had their homes refurbished.
There will also be workshops, presentations and the chance to watch a video that explains how the Decent Homes work affects tenants, which has been translated into all 10 community languages.
“We are keen to give people as much information as possible about what happens when their home is refurbished and meeting people who have gone through this is a great way of doing that,” said Jill Hurst, Tenant Participation Manager for Sheffield Homes.
“The day will provide BME tenants with an excellent opportunity to find out how the Decent Homes programme will improve their homes and neighbourhoods and to ask questions.
“Decent Homes is a huge and ambitious project and we are working hard to ensure that all tenants know what is happening and what it will mean to them.”
An interpretation service and Halal and vegetarian foods will be provided. Although the event is not suitable for children, Sheffield Homes will cover travel and childcare expenses.
The event takes place at SADACCA on the Wicker, from 9.15am to 3pm on Tuesday September 6 and although it is open to all BME tenants, pre-booking is essential.
Tenants can only attend if they have booked a place by calling the Tenant Participation Team on 0114 203 9154 before Wednesday 24th August.
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Press Contact: Neil Anderson on 01142 257080 (office) or 07779 292212 (mobile).