HOUSING tenants across Northumberland are being given a stronger voice on issues that affect their homes and communities.

County council bosses have set up Tenants’ Voice to represent residents of houses and flats owned by a number of social housing providers.

The council has worked with its own arms-length management company, Homes for Northumberland, as well as with Isos Housing, the Bernicia Group and Berwick Borough Housing to launch the umbrella organisation.

Tenants from each of the housing groups have come together on the first county-wide panel, which will coordinate the views, aspirations and priorities of thousands of tenants across Northumberland.

Tenants’ Voice will also submit its members’ comments and contributions to emerging policies on social housing.

Coun Tom Brechany, executive member for housing at County Hall, said: “We want tenants to have as many opportunities as possible to be involved in things that affect them. This panel will be able to consider what current issues are faced by housing providers and how they impact on tenants.”