A Birmingham housing association has been named a national champion for its work involving residents in how the organisation is run.

Family Housing, based on Coventry Road, is one of ten national and the only west midlands housing association to be recognised as a 'Coregulation Champion' by the housing regulator the Tenant Service Authority (TSA).

Residents and staff from Family Housing will now share their knowledge to demonstrate how co-regulation can make a real difference to how housing services are delivered.

To celebrate their success, residents have made an online video talking about their involvement and they will be speaking at 'learning lunches' to residents and staff from other housing associations about Family's scrutiny work. 

Director of housing and social care at Family, Carmel McCarthy, said: "We are delighted that we have been recognised by the TSA for our work involving tenants in the scrutiny of Family Housing. We have worked hard to ensure all our tenants have an opportunity to get involved.

"We have had to think innovatively and be proactive in our approach to resident involvement given the nature of our housing stock and resident profile. Our properties are very much pepper-potted across Birmingham and 59 per cent of our stock is in the 11 most deprived wards in Birmingham. Over 60 per cent of residents are from ethnic minority groups and there are a high number of single occupancy households and lone parents, which tend to be harder to reach."

The award from the TSA recognises that since Family Housing launched its resident involvement framework Customer 1st in March 2008 it has seen satisfaction amongst residents that their views are being taken into account rise by more than 20 per cent to 76 per cent.

Family Housing resident and chair of Once Voice, a panel of residents taken from four service groups, David Willis said: "We have been involved in Family Housing's core strategy and its services to residents. Recommendations have been made to the board and these have been followed through. 

"We are very much involved as part of management group. We have had that influence on Family Housing that there are residents out there who need to be listened to."

Residents have a menu of involvement opportunities, from informal ad hoc events to structured and formalised meetings, allowing residents from all backgrounds with differing interests and commitment levels to have their say. 

TSA assistant director for tenant excellence, Graeme Foster, said: "Through their online video and learning lunches, Family Housing and their tenants will share the benefit of their experience. This will ensure other landlords and tenants can work towards getting their co-regulatory relationship right.

"We were pleased to receive so many excellent applications from providers demonstrating the strength of co-regulation across the country. The ten selected champions will help to build on this work and support others in developing their co-regulatory approach."