Improving the local community
Tenant and resident associations (TRAs) are groups of local people from a housing estate or block of flats, working together to improve their community.
If there isn't a TRA in your area you can set up a new one.
Setting up a new TRA
Some of the advantages of starting a TRA include:
- being recognised as a formal body by the council and housing related services
- having access to all levels of the council
- getting access to grants to support your activities
- joining a District Management Committee (DMC), with access to funding opportunities
- keeping informed about developments on your estate
To set up a new TRA, you will need to:
- have the support of tenants and leaseholders in the area you wish to represent
- write a constitution to govern how your group is run
- make sure that the membership of your group is representative of the area
- have a council-tenant majority on your committee - required for DMC voting in Gospel Oak and Kentish Town
Start-up guidance
A variety of documents are available to help set up your TRA, including:
- model constitution (DOC, 33KB)
- code of conduct (DOC, 32KB)
- equal opportunities statement (PDF, 29KB)
- committee skills information booklet (PDF, 595KB)
- income and expenditure sheet (XLSX, 15KB)
Planning and developing your group
Our quality framework guide (PDF, 21KB) explains how to develop your group, plan activities and assess training needs. The quality framework self-assessment (pdf) (PDF, 84KB) includes questions to help identify your strengths and areas for improvement.
If you achieve a high score, you may wish to share your experiences with other groups. Send your completed self-assessment to the Tenant Participation Team.
Training and capacity building
We can provide a range of training courses and workshops. To find out more, contact the Tenant Participation Team with your requirements.
You can find a list of our training programme schedule here:
Community Safety: Financial Abuse and Scams, Camden ACL - Wednesday 21 February 2024, 10am - 12pm
Venue - Bacton Tower TRA Hall, Bacton Tower, Haverstock Road, NW5 4PU
Information - Financial Awareness
Introduction to Online Gaming and Gambling Harm Camden ACL - Wednesday 28 February 2024, 10am - 12pm
Venue - Bacton Tower TRA Hall, Bacton Tower, Haverstock Road, NW5 4PU
Information - Gambling addiction and awareness
Fire Awareness Training, British Safety Council - Monday 04 March 2024, 9.30am – 4.30pm
Venue - Ampthill IT Hub, 221 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1DE
Information - Role of a Fire Warden, Legal requirements, and use of fire extinguishers
Equality and Diversity, Camden ACL - Wednesday 06 March 2024 10am – 12.00pm
Venue - Ludham & Waxham TRA Hall, Lismore Circus, NW3
Information - General introduction on Equality and Diversity
Women & Girls Personal Safety, Camden ACL - Wednesday 13 March 2024 10am - 12.00pm
Venue - Ludham & Waxham TRA Hall, Lismore Circus, NW3
Information - Protecting women and girls within your community
Small Grants Funding, External funding - Tuesday 9 April 2024, 10am - 1pm
Venue - Committee Room 2, Crowndale Centre, Third Floor, Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, Camden, London, NW1 1BD
Information - How to apply for funding from external available funders
Small Grants Funding, External funding - Thursday 11 April 2024, 10am - 1pm
Venue - Bacton Tower TRA Hall, Bacton Tower, Haverstock Road, NW5 4PU
Information - How to apply for funding from external available funders
Basic IT training, SHAK - Tuesday 14 May 2024, 10am - 12pm
Venue - Ampthill IT Hub, 221 Eversholt, Street, London NW1 1DE
Information - General/basic understanding and use of computers from turning on/off, email, surfing the web
Basic IT training, SHAK - Tuesday 21 May 2024, 10am - 12pm
Venue - Ampthill IT Hub, 221 Eversholt, Street, London NW1 1DE
Information - General/basic understanding and use of computers from turning on/off, email, surfing the web
Committee Roles & Responsibilities - Tuesday 4 June 2024 - 10am - 12pm
Venue - Committee Room 2, Crowndale Centre, Third Floor, Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, Camden, London, NW1 1BD
Information - Understanding and information of your Officer role in your organisation
Committee Roles & Responsibilities - Tuesday 4 June 2024 - 10am - 12pm
Venue - Ludham & Waxham TRA Hall, Lismore Circus, NW3
Information - Understanding and information of your Officer role in your organisation
If you are interested in any of these training sessions, please email Rorbert Quay at robert.quaye@camden.gov.uk or tp@camden.gov.uk or call us on 020 7974 3955
Financial support
Grants are available to help with running costs. Read the grants information (PDF, 75KB) and application forms for:
- start-up grants (DOC, 71KB)
- revenue grants (DOC, 82KB)
- special projects (DOC, 76KB)
- computer loans (DOC, 96KB)
Funding is also available from your local DMC.
Registering your TRA
By registering your TRA, you will receive formal recognition from the council and your local District Management Committee (DMC), and benefit from engagement and funding opportunities.
You can also contact the Tenant Participation Team or your neighbourhood housing officer for advice.