LTF started 2022 with two new 3-day-a-week staff members who will work with our coordinator, members and directors to deliver our new and continued grant-funded projects.

This work includes: organising LTF sub-regional meetings (in addition to our core members’ general meetings, events and conferences) and developing tenant networks focused on single housing issues – to strengthen tenants’ collective voices across London.

Single-issue housing networks will, for example, focus on fuel poverty; repairs and major works; overcrowded homes; rents, repairs and major works and infill developments. We will also continue to support the Estate Watch network, supporting tenants whose homes are threatened with demolition, with Just Space.

Sarah Goldzweig is our new membership development worker, responsible for growing our membership and organising sub-regional meetings (see more information below). Becky Turner is our new support worker who will develop new London-wide tenant networks on single housing issues.

NB Becky moved on in June 2022 and was replaced by Joseph Jones.

We also plan to increase our membership. We have established a new nov-voting membership category of council and housing association TRAs, TMOs and Co-operatives. This is in addition to our core membership. It comprises council and housing association borough- neighbourhood- and/or landlord-wide tenants organisations.

Our new membership provides opportunities for TRAs, TMOs and Co-operatives to:

• engage and share with other tenants’ and residents’ groups outside their boroughs, particularly on common issues or concerns, such as large-scale developments some of which cross borough boundaries (particularly in our sub-regional meetings);
• look at how other tenants’ groups operate in London, the UK and outside the UK and consider which are most effective;
• support one another and lobby or campaign together, where there is consensus;
• learn more about how the Mayor of London’s policies impact decisions made by local authorities and other social landlords;
• build grass-roots knowledge and research some through growing our bank of tenant videos or podcasts to share on our website, newsletters and on social media;
• influence and/or challenge policy.

How will this new work inform and influence LTF policy? Reports from quarterly sub-regional and single issues meetings (beginning in February 2022) will feed into the LTF core member organisation’s meetings and will be used in LTF consultation responses and in amending or adding to LTF policy positions.

TRA, TMO and Co-operative membership Members will also be invited (free of charge) to LTF open events and conferences.

TRA, TMO and Co-operative members will receive our quarterly e-newsletters and have opportunities to contribute to them and the LTF website.

Membership is free, but any donations will be gratefully received.

LTF will continue to encourage TRAs, TMO and Co-operatives to support and to be active in their borough- neighbourhood- landlord-wide and local tenants’ groups.