Federation of Stevenage Tenants and Associations (FOSTA)

Power for Tenants - Assistance for Residents

Update of FOSTA activities           
 
A major achievement by FOSTA has been the launch of our Resident Inspector team with eight fully trained residents.  This team monitors void properties, being modernised under the Decent Homes project, and also monitors general estate management.  This should provide an effective check on the standards achieved by Stevenage Homes in these two important areas. Are efforts are now recognised by the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) and we have the first two Resident Inspectors in the UK to be in this scheme, run by Hertfordshire Constabulary.
 
FOSTA continue to attend the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Conference and also the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Annual Conference.  We plan to participate, as far as it is possible, in the programme to be announced by the Tenant Services Authority (TSA).  Our General Committee members represent us at internal meetings of Stevenage Homes and also serve on their committees.  This ensures that residents views are heard and contribute usefully to the outcome of these meetings.
 
We are planning to develop a much expanded direct access website.  This will not only keep you up-to-date on our activities but also provide interactive facilities, so that you can give us your views, and shall provide links to various useful websites.

General Committee meetings

We meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 3.30 pm., usually at Daneshill House in the Town Centre.  Tenants and leaseholders are welcome.  Please let us know in advance if you propose to attend.
 
You may download a copy of the minutes of the last meeting by clicking here: FOSTA June 2010 Minutes

How it all began

FOSTA was originally formed around 1989 as a voluntary organisation with the help and financial support of Stevenage Borough Council.  Our activity centred on an office in Elmes Arcade, located in the Old Town.  At that time there were seven tenants associations which operated independently and needed an umbrella organisation to progress.
 
In these early years the Council was promoting Community Government and FOSTA fitted well into this scenario.  We developed steadily and became a member of the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS).  In 1993 FOSTA hosted a TPAS Tenant Conference in Stevenage.  By 1999 the office had moved to Swingate House and in 2002 to Southgate House.
 
Now, 21 years later, there are eleven active groups in Stevenage representing tenants and leaseholders.  FOSTA remains concerned in co-ordinating the issues raised by these groups and is deeply committed to pursuing the goal of of achieving excellent housing services.  We are once again located in Swingate House in a fully functional office.  We are now largely funded by Stevenage Homes who operate a dedicated Resident Involvement Team.

Join a Resident Group
 

• Influence Stevenage Homes policies on housing issues.
   
• Develop plans affecting your estate or location.
   
• Lobby for improvements.
   
• Talk directly to Stevenage Homes and Council staff at meetings, regarding your concerns.
   
• Represent your group on the FOSTA General Committee.
   
• Take advantage of free training available in "Skills for Life" courses.
   
  The eleven Resident Groups active in Stevenage consist of tenants and leaseholders who wish to improve the area in which they live and the services provided.  They are supported by Stevenage Homes who benefit from the feedback from resident meetings.  The principal concerns of these groups centre around their environment,repair and rent issues, charges, anti-social behaviour and other tenancy matters.

Click here for Tenants and Residents associations

Get in touch with FOSTA

 email: enquiries@fosta.info

FOSTA, Suite 8, Floor 5, Swingate House, Danestrete, Stevenage, SG1 1XB