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working with us
inbusiness for neighbourhoods
Great Homes, Great Neighbourhoods, Great People
iN
business for neighbourhoods was launched in September 2003. iN is an alliance of housing associations
within the National Housing Federation working to create good neighbourhoods
in cities, towns and villages across England.
The campaign
aims to correct the perception that housing associations only provide
poor quality homes for the poor, the deprived and the vulnerable - and
little else. These opinions were gathered by a MORI survey in 2001 commissioned
by the Federation and surprised many in the sector, including us.
The key focus
of the campaign is putting pride back into communities, making them places
where people want to live. This sits well with New Charter's mission statement
and our WIN programme introduced in 2002.
The Federation
consulted extensively on this campaign, including input from us. The Federation
itself remarks that many of the more recent stock transfer organisations
like New Charter are actually implementing this agenda already. The same,
however, is not true of the sector. As our trade organisation, the Federation
is right to ensure that we are all promoting the strength of the sector.
The key position
statement drawn up following this consultation is fivefold:
We are in business for neighbourhoods.
We put our energy into creating places where people 
want
to live.
We invest in a range of services as well as homes.
We are independent social businesses.
We work with local people and partner organisations to
deliver results.
The Federation
asked housing associations that sign up for the campaign to make three
broad commitments:
1. A commitment
to neighbourhoods.
2. A commitment to customers.
3. A commitment to excellence.
