Tenant News - December 2008
Training workshops for tenants across the state
In September this year, a total of 74 tenants from each regional area in Queensland participated in the 'Building Tenant Group Capacity' training in Brisbane.
Supported by the department, these sessions provided tenants with an opportunity to share experiences and strengthen their skills in organising and growing local and regional tenant groups.
Catherine Murphy, from the Shirley Hughson Tenant Group on the Gold Coast, looks forward to using her training.
“I have made links with a very generous and supportive group of people from community housing and public housing. The training gave me the skills, support and encouragement to continue our small tenant group and expand work with other tenants in the region,” Catherine said.
Regional tenant groups developed, organised and promoted the training workshops for tenants across the state. Simone Silberberg and Ken Bright from Lighthouse Resources delivered the training sessions.
Eight tenants from community-managed housing also attended the training, which included practical exercises in decision-making and managing differences in groups.
Karl Wouters from the Sunshine Coast is now looking forward to setting up a Tenant Participation group with community housing tenants.
“I now have the skills to set up a group, including how to hold meetings, and how to deal with some of the challenges that any group presents,” Karl said.
Grants from the department’s Tenant Participation program helped to cover the costs of the training.
The program also provides grants to help tenant groups get started, and is available to tenants of all types of social housing. Regional tenant groups operate in most of the department’s area office regions.
If you would like to find out more about working together with your neighbours to get involved in decisions affecting your home and local community, improve your relationships with one another or plan events to bring you together, contact your nearest area office.
Last updated 18 December 2008
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