Manningham Housing Association tenant is a Housing Hero

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) tenant Salma Khatun has been named Tenant of the Year at the Housing Heroes Awards.

The trophy, which “recognises a tenant who has gone the extra mile and demonstrated an innovative approach to helping others,” was handed over at a ceremony in Manchester by BBC News presenter Huw Edwards.

Salma, an active member of MHA’s Tenant Panel, played a pivotal role in helping the association deliver a £470,000 retrofitting project led by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority with UK Government funding.

For more than 12 years, she has coordinated MHA’s coffee mornings at its Hollings Hub and Anchor Court housing developments.

She has also been heavily involved in outreach projects aimed at encouraging participation in the association’s ever-expanding programme of community activities including digital inclusion training and has persuaded many local people to enrol on courses.

Ulfat Hussain, MHA Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Operations, said: “Salma is an incredibly worthy winner of this prestigious national award.

“Through the retrofitting project, she helped residents living in older pre-1919 built properties receive free guidance on what installation and improvement measures were suitable for their property.

“This enabled them to potentially benefit financially through greater energy efficiency while playing their own part in reducing local carbon emissions.  It was important for us to reach these residents and Salma played such an important part in enabling us to make this happen so successfully.

“She has long been regarded as a housing hero by MHA tenants, staff and project partners.  We are thrilled that the Housing Heroes Awards judges have now made this official.”

Barrington Billings, MHA Chair, said: “Salma’s dedication to MHA is exceptional. Her voluntary work has had a hugely significant effect on the wellbeing of tenants, promoting social inclusion and community cohesion.

“Her outreach activities have helped to increase community engagement and had a positive impact on the physical and mental health of tenants and the neighbourhoods that surround them.

“She has helped to bridge the digital divide to ensure that everyone has access to the benefits of digital technology, demonstrating her commitment to improving the lives of others, particularly those living in areas of high deprivation.

“Salma is a true and valued asset to the Manningham Housing Association community.”

Salma Khatun said: “I am so pleased to win the Housing Heroes Tenant of the Year award.

“MHA is a big part of my life and I really enjoy working with lots of talented people who, like me, are committed to making a positive difference in the local community.

“I want them to share my pride at receiving this award.”