Richard Kemp is half right (“We need a new breed of RSLs”, HT 5 November) but he falls into the trap of thinking about what makes a strong neighbourhood principally in terms of housing and facilities, rather than the people who live there

Here at Cambridge Housing Society we believe that investing in individuals can be just as important as developing infrastructure in building strong neighbourhoods. Obviously, in some parts of the country physical regeneration is critical. But everywhere, people facing the range of problems to which Kemp refers and they need support and opportunities to help them help themselves.

Our community investment service delivers support on a one-to-one basis in people’s homes. For example, our skills for life (literacy and numeracy) and information and communication technology workers are offering opportunities for personal development to those who missed out when they were younger and who often lack the confidence to pursue formal education.

Research shows that our ICT skills programme, backed by the loan of a laptop, doubles the proportion of our tenants wanting to use their computer to study further or to work from home.

Better opportunities for individuals can transform a household’s prospects, which in turn benefits the wider community.

Neighbourhoods are populated by people, so it makes sense to put as much emphasis on developing opportunities for the individuals who live there as on improving the environment they live in.

Nigel Howlett, chief executive Cambridge Housing Society

Source

Housing Today