A Spotlight on: Rob Carey

TPAS Cymru is excited to return our 'Spotlight On' series in a new format, where we are celebrating some of the fantastic colleagues who help make the housing and sector so special. Join us as we shine a light on the people behind the hard work and best practices that help our communities thrive. We can't wait to share these inspiring stories with you!

Our next post in this series features Rob Carey, Senior Engagement Officer at Monmouthshire Housing Association.

 

1. What is my favourite thing about my job?

My favourite thing about my job is undoubtedly the people who we serve as Housing professionals. The people we meet come from all walks of life with so many different life experiences and being able to help somebody progress their life in a positive way is a real privilege.

We sometimes experience anger and frustration but by listening and acting upon what we hear, we can often play a small part in building trust and turning some of the negatives into feelings of aspiration, pride and positivity. Watching somebody grow in confidence to the point where they want to give something back to society is real job satisfaction.

2. What is 1 thing you would change about housing in Wales?

I would love to change the perception of social housing in Wales by building lots more social not affordable, sorry I mean non affordable homes, therefore making social housing a real choice for people and giving younger people a sense of belonging and security in good quality, energy efficient, well maintained, genuinely affordable home to progress their lives.

School children have no idea what type of tenure they live in or what their friend’s tenure is, they just have friends. I would like that childlike attitude to permeate into the adult world, where because social housing is just another type of tenure it’s not stigmatised or perceived by some as the tenure of last resort but is rather just a sensible choice.

3. How has housing changed since I started doing my role?

Housing has changed dramatically since I began my career 25 years ago. Large Scale Voluntary Transfers have seen half of the Councils in Wales transfer their homes to Housing Associations. I am pleased to say that standards have generally improved, and Wales now has its own Renting Homes Act, but 14 years of austerity measures has seen a real squeeze on budgets with housing being expected to provide far more services for its tenants than previously ever imagined. 

The ongoing issue with the lack of supply of social housing, coupled with the squeeze on income and the cost-of-living crisis has seen demand soar resulting in ever increasing numbers of people in need of social housing not being able to access it. I am saddened that one of the most basic needs in life, which is a home to live in, is out of reach to so many. 

4. What is a good way to ensure tenants or the public have their voice heard?

For me, the most important thing a person can do to ensure that they hear the tenants or publics’ voice is build a relationship with the person whose voice you are trying to hear. If people trust you as a person, a business or even a brand, they are likely to talk to you.

There are so many different communication channels open for listening in 2024. These can be digital or via more traditional methods, but if those channels are to remain open to what is being heard, then the information has to be acted upon and those actions have to be communicated back to the people who made them.

This is important, so that the people who made them know that their views were given serious consideration and where possible have made difference.   

5. What inspires me to do what I do?

Working in housing I am constantly being inspired by the resilience and determination of both the public we serve and my colleagues. The one thing that attracted me to a career in housing all those years ago was the opportunity to improve lives with a genuine belief that I could help to make things better. I am constantly in awe of the people I meet out in our communities, who overcome so many barriers and challenges to make a positive difference in people’s lives. 

I am often equally inspired by my colleagues and new staff coming into the profession with a real desire to look at what we do and how we do it and make it better for the people we serve as housing officers.  If I was 25 years younger and today was my first day in housing, I wouldn’t hesitate in telling myself that housing is a great career choice.