Resident Involvement Conference 2026: Regeneration, Renewal and The Power of Tenant Voice
The NHC’s 17th Annual Resident Involvement Conference, delivered in partnership with YD Consultants on 2 June 2026, brought together tenants, housing professionals and sector leaders for a focused, high-impact day of discussion and learning. Held online, the event centred on a clear and timely theme: how resident voice can shape regeneration, influence policy and strengthen communities across the North.
Chaired by Anna Bishop, CEO of South Liverpool Homes, the conference set an engaging and collaborative tone from the outset, with attendees actively contributing questions and reflections throughout the day.
Setting the Agenda: Regulation, Complaints and Culture
The morning sessions highlighted how the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, and the critical role resident voice plays within it. Kate Dodsworth from the Regulator of Social Housing shared insights on transparency, accountability and the expectations set out in the latest consumer standards, reinforcing the importance of meaningful engagement in driving service improvements.
A standout session came from Richard Blakeway, in his final Resident Involvement Conference appearance as Housing Ombudsman. His message was clear: complaints must be treated as a strategic priority, not simply an operational issue. By embedding learning from complaints at board level and using them to improve services, organisations can build trust and deliver better outcomes for residents.
The conversation around culture and language was further developed by Yvonne Davies, founder of YD Consultants, who challenged delegates to think carefully about stigma in social housing and the impact this has on residents’ experiences.
From Policy to Practice: Amplifying Resident Voice
The conference also showed how policy and practice are aligning more closely with resident priorities. Will Longhill from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government outlined how the Social Housing Resident Panel continues to inform national policy, ensuring residents are directly influencing decisions on affordable homes, energy efficiency and service standards.
This national perspective was complemented by practical, on-the-ground examples. Leeds City Council shared how they are co-designing improvements to major works and energy efficiency programmes with tenants, demonstrating how engagement is becoming more collaborative and solutions-focused.
Sessions throughout the day reinforced that effective involvement is not a one-size-fits-all approach. From resident-led regeneration planning in Sale West with Irwell Valley Homes, to tenant inspections at Torus, delegates heard how different organisations are embedding resident voice into much of their operations.
Transforming Lives Through Opportunity
A particularly powerful theme was the role housing providers can play in creating opportunities beyond housing itself. ForHousing’s powerful session on supporting tenants into employment highlighted the impact of initiatives like Tenant Talent Pools and Greater Manchester Housing Partnership’s “20% Movement” – aiming for 20% of Greater Manchester’s housing provider workforce to be tenants by 2034. Hearing directly from resident Leigh Mullins brought this to life, demonstrating how involvement and employment opportunities can have a transformative effect on individuals’ lives.
Looking Ahead
Across the day, one message came through strongly: resident involvement is central to delivering successful regeneration and building stronger communities. Whether through shaping policy, improving services or driving innovation, the sector is increasingly recognising that meaningful collaboration with residents leads to better, more sustainable outcomes.
Anchored in the NHC’s Renew: Housing-Led Regeneration for Northern Growth inquiry, the conference provided both a strategic framework and practical insight for organisations looking to strengthen their approach to resident engagement.
Thank you to all speakers, partners and delegates who made the conference such a success.
Don’t forget our two-day Tenant Voice Conference 2026 is on 24th and 26th November 2026 – save the date and keep an eye out for further details.
