We have eight tenants and residents associations (TRAs)  across the Lewes district council area. Most TRAs cover a local area and meet between four and 12 times a year. As well as discussing housing issues TRAs look at other local issues such as improving road safety, tackling anti-social behaviour and running community activities.

TRAs will consult with their local community via surveys and work with other agencies in order to achieve their goals. TRAs are encouraged to develop Action Plans to help them set achievable outcomes and to prioritise their activities.

Every three years we work with TRAs to develop a Tenant Participation Community Development Plan, setting out the main goals and aspirations for each TRA. To help TRAs in their day to day running, we provide a TRA handbook with information on committee roles, access to services and more.

Find out more:

• Tenants and residents association handbook

If you don’t have a local TRA in your area you can apply to become a Community Reporter. This would involve you taking photos of any local issues you come across and uploading details onto our Housing Facebook page. If the issues need investigating we will do that and report back on any action taken via our Facebook page. 

Tell us how we can improve the area you live in

Every year ‘Tenants Organisation of Lewes District’ (TOLD) has responsibility for a spending an environmental improvements budget. You can suggest improvements that you would like to see happen in your local communal gardens or green spaces owned by Lewes District Council. You may also apply for equipment to support projects in your local communities to benefit tenants.

You can make a suggestion, either by:

• Checking with your neighbours to make sure they support your idea, then submitting an online form
• Discussing your idea with your local tenants and residents association who, if they agree, will submit the online form
• Talking to your Neighbourhood First team, local Senior Caseworker (Area Housing Officer) or if you live in a sheltered scheme your Retirement Housing Advisor (Scheme Manager). Ask them to talk to neighbours to see if there is support for the project and submit a bid

If you have a suggestion, please complete our online application form. Step two of the form includes details of the types of projects that can be done. If you just wish to view the types of projects that can be funded, please complete your name and date in step one and move straight to step two:

Start now

Suggestions will be considered by TOLD at their quarterly meetings and you will be notified of the outcome.

If you live in one of our sheltered schemes you can take part in meetings with housing staff every six months. These meetings are held in your communal lounge, or at the nearest meeting venue to you.  The meetings talk about any issues that affect your scheme. At the end of each meeting you can do a “walkabout” of the scheme with your Area Housing Officer to point out any areas of concern.  

To help you get involved we pay your costs, offer training, and provide access to services and assistance from Tenant Participation staff. Grants can be given to tenants and residents associations that hold a bank account. The grant is to cover running expenses such as

• stationery

• phone calls
• refreshments for meetings
• venue hire

If you would like to apply for a grant on behalf of your TRA please contact us.