What is a TRA?
A TRA brings local people together to form a collective voice. They work together to represent the views of tenants and residents in their area and help make their neighbourhood a better place to live. In particular, their aim is to improve housing and environmental standards in their neighbourhood and improve the sense of community.
Who can set up a TRA?
Most associations are set up by council or housing association tenants. However, any group of three or more people can set up an association. For example, associations can be run by people who rent or own their homes and who:
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live in the same street, close, housing estate or village
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live in a tenement building or high rise
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live in a sheltered housing scheme
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have the same landlord, for example are council or housing association tenants or rent from the same private landlord.
If a group wants to make sure that its views are listened to by other organisations they must be able to show that they are:
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responsible and accountable
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democratic
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representative of the whole community.
Why set up a TRA?
Some residents’ associations are set up to achieve a specific aim, for example:
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to raise funding to create a children’s play area or community garden
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to tackle antisocial behaviour or crime
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to challenge planned developments in their area.
Other associations may aim more generally to protect the interests of the community and improve standards in the area, for example by:
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organising social events or additional services for the community
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representing the views of the group to a landlord or to the council
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campaigning on issues such as traffic and parking problems or pollution.
How can you get involved?
If there isn’t a TRA in your area then our Customer Engagement Specialists can explain and offer support on how you can set one up. The team will point you in the right direction, source training, and help find the tools and know-how you’ll need to get started.
To find your local TRA of get help setting one up, complete the form below, email us at customerengagement@onward.co.uk or call us on 0300 555 0600.
Join a Tenants’ and Residents’ Association
Get information about your local TRA or hear more on how we can help you to set one up.