Housing association to recruit tenants from 14 of its towers to address safety concerns

Residents of a Glasgow housing association are to form a forum to address safety concerns following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London.

Housing provider ng Homes will recruit tenants from 14 of its high rises in the north of the city

It will give tenants in Springburn, Balornock, Possilpark and Parkhouse the opportunity to put forward any concerns they have about safety directly to housing bosses.

Bob Doris MSP highlighted the housing association’s efforts to involve its residents during a session at Holyrood this week, lodging a motion commending NG.

“One of the tragic lessons from the Grenfell Tower tragedy would appear to be a lack of communication with residents and a real sense of disempowerment,” he said.

“Tenant scrutiny panels, with meaningful participation, can help ensure that never happens here in Scotland.

“I am delighted that following discussions with ng Homes, they have agreed to establish a tenant scrutiny panel from residents who stay in their high rise properties.

A tenant-led forum to provide for an ongoing dialogue on matters of health and safety, and in particular fire safety, could be a powerful example of the social rented sector in Scotland being both proactive and demonstrating there is absolutely no complacency.

“I hope other housing providers with tower blocks in their stock will look at similar models.”

A spokesman for ng said health and safety has always been of paramount importance and was the impetus behind the move to set up the panel.

He said: "The establishment of a tenant scrutiny panel allows us to continue in this vein, but it also offers the chance to engage with and empower tenants, promote communication and offers tenants a clear route to inform the association of any concerns that they may have.”