Benefits of Facilitative Management

• To provide an opportunity for residents to make active decisions in the management of their house - such as maintenance; problem solving; conflict resolution and Tenant involvement in the house fund. Tenants offer valuable information to the Housing Worker. Tenants know their own units better than any one else. They know which surfaces are hard to clean, or when the cracks first appeared in their walls.
• To assist tenants in developing the life skills of: facilitating a meeting; overseeing a budget; raising funds; negotiating with Housing Workers, neighbours, and fellow residents; and organizing events. Some residents may value the new information they have learned. They will know how decisions are made in their non profit, why the units are designed the way they are, or how much it costs to replace a window.
• Expanding the communal capacity of the house through tenant’s communal activities. Many not for profit housing providers face a dilemma. As housing corporations, they do not have the budget to provide social or recreational programs. However, one must note that these services and programs would enhance tenants’ lives. Tenants address this dilemma by volunteering, and setting up communal activities for each other. Some examples of communal activities include: coffee clubs; communal kitchens; tenant associations; recycling programs, tenant newsletters. Communal activities organized by residents are effective because they are attuned to house member’s needs. Residents are in the home “around the clock”. Residents within the house know how their house mates interact, their schedules, and what interests the house members collectively. Housing Workers value tenant’s detailed, practical knowledge to identify communal activities the residents would enjoy.
• Residents have a personal investment and pride in their home. When tenants assist in the management of the house, they begin to take responsibility for the entire home, not just their own units. They begin to take pride in the home, treating the building and their neighbors with respect. Their pride influences their neighbours. And gradually tenants enhance the quality of life within the home - which in turn benefits the larger community.