Habinteg’s new Corporate Strategy improves tenant services and engagement | Latest news

Habinteg Housing Association has launched its new, four-year Corporate Strategy 2026-2030, following significant input from tenants.

Habinteg tenant Cathy Smith, who is Chair of its Joint Strategy and Impact Group (JSIG), a strategic level tenant engagement body, supports the new strategy and says it provides a strong plan for tenants and the housing association to work in a more unified, collaborative way.

The accessible housing specialist’s strategy builds on the foundations of the last plan via four new key pillars: Tenant Driven, Great Homes, Lasting Impact and Thriving People. At its heart it focuses on robust customer service, improving delivery of repairs, investment in current housing stock, greater tenant engagement, and developing new accessible homes.

Greater tenant engagement 

Around 400 tenants (over 10% of Habinteg’s tenant base) and all staff members took part in Habinteg’s Building Together consultation in September 2025, the findings of which informed the new strategy.

Ms. Smith, who provided input into the new strategy through a tenant survey and a detailed focus group, said: “Habinteg has a very strong listening culture and it’s brilliant that so many tenants have had their say in shaping the strategy. It really reflects the priorities I always hear about from tenants.

“Key elements that tenants fed into were how Habinteg communicates digitally with its customers regarding repairs, which has resulted in plans for a new app, and the creation of more opportunities for tenants to speak to staff face-to-face on scheme.”

Habinteg wants to build on its strong record for tenant participation so that more tenants can help decide how their services are delivered. It aims to have 100 tenants in involved roles by 2030. It will also run a formal training programme for tenants who are interested in governance roles across Habinteg. The training will help tenants develop skills and knowledge for specific positions, fostering talent for the benefit of both the organisation and the individual.

Skilling up tenants 

Key pillars Tenant Driven and Great Homes are central to the strategy and will ensure that tenants have more choice and flexibility around communications, and that homes and neighbourhoods continue to improve. As well as offering more opportunities for tenants to meet staff where they live, the housing association aims to develop more formal partnerships with local stakeholders and agencies to improve its schemes and neighbourhoods. It will also continue to take robust action to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) so that communities feel safer and better supported.

Habinteg plans to invest in the energy efficiency and sustainability of its current stock to reduce costs for tenants and make homes more comfortable to live in, whilst working with local authority partners to develop over 170 much needed high quality accessible new homes.

New services will include an interactive online portal and app with self-service repairs diagnostics and live webchat to improve communication with tenants, a key theme of the consultation.

The Lasting Impact pillar distils Habinteg’s commitment to increasing the supply of well-designed accessible and adaptable homes  through its policy and influencing activities, and its leading inclusive design and access consultancy, the Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE).

Building more accessible homes 

Communities in general will benefit from the expansion of CAE’s service to support more businesses and institutions to provide accessible and inclusive buildings, services and neighbourhoods.

Habinteg’s Thriving People pillar focuses on plans to invest in role-specific training and personal development plans for its staff. It plans to also enhance its approach to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), including increasing representation of disabled staff across the organisation.

Chair of Habinteg’s Board, Ellie Southwood, said: “I’m pleased to say the new strategy complements and responds to the tenant feedback we received from the Building Together consultation. Habinteg’s most important asset is its people so staff’s input to formation of the strategy has also been really important.

Committed to our communities

“We’re passionate about our vision, committed to our communities, and determined to deliver on the four strategic pillars set out in this strategy.

“Habinteg is unique in the work that we do; we’re proud to champion inclusion by providing and promoting accessible homes and neighbourhoods.”

Habinteg’s Chief Executive, Martin Warhurst, said: Our new Corporate Strategy will see better outcomes for tenants and staff, and I get the honour of leading the organisation through this plan.

“All the ingredients are there to support us to create the best Habinteg we can, and to ensure we continue to punch above our weight in the future as a registered social landlord that provides and advocates for accessible housing.”

Download the Corporate Strategy.