Your voice matters. The National Resident Survey 2026 is your chance to help shape the future of your community.

The survey helps us understand what's working well and where we can improve. All responses are anonymous, so please share your honest views.
Last year, resident satisfaction increased to 91%, and we're keen to build on that success.

Look out for more information about this year's survey and take the opportunity to have your say. Your feedback helps drive positive change in your community.

Are you approaching State Pension age, or would you like to understand more about what happens when you reach it?

Independent Age is hosting a free online webinar to explain how reaching State Pension age can affect your benefits and what other support you may be entitled to.

The webinar will cover:

• How different benefits may change when you reach State Pension age
• Other financial support you may be entitled to
• What happens if you continue working after reaching State Pension age

The session is suitable for everyone, whether you are approaching State Pension age or simply want to know more.

When: Tuesday 29 September, 11am

Join the Independent Age webinar online

If you’d like to join the webinar but are unsure how, please speak to your local manager.

Find out more about Independent Age on their website.

The next round of funding for the Resident Trust Fund (RTF) will open in October, giving residents another opportunity to apply for funding for projects that could improve their community and bring people together. The exact opening date will be confirmed soon.

The RTF is a charitable fund that supports ideas which benefit groups of residents and help strengthen communities. Successful projects in previous rounds have included:

• Community garden improvements
• Group day trips
• Music and creative activities
• Games and social activities
• Digital training sessions
• Exercise sessions

Projects should have a clear benefit for residents and encourage participation and inclusion. Applications also need to show that residents have been consulted and support the idea.

Now is a great time to start thinking about what could make a positive difference at your scheme. Is there an activity you would like to organise, or something that could help bring residents together?

If you have an idea, speak to your local manager. They can help you develop your idea and complete the application.

More information including the opening date and how to apply, will be included in the next resident newsletter. Keep an eye out for further updates!

There may still be time to enter our competition to win a hamper full of treats! Enter before midnight on 15 September to be included in the draw. 

We have two hampers up for grabs, with one winner from our Retirement Living communities and one winner from our Extra Care communities.

Enter the competition.

Don’t leave it too late! Entries close at 11:59pm on 15 September. If you need any help entering, please speak to your local manager, who will be happy to support you.

Housing 21’s Quarterly Performance Reports help residents understand how we are performing against the standards and targets we set for our services.

By sharing key information on areas such as repairs, safety, complaints handling and resident satisfaction, we can be open and transparent about what is working well and where improvements are needed.

The report supports accountability by showing how we are meeting the expectations of the Consumer Standards and demonstrating our commitment to providing safe, high-quality services for residents.

You can view the latest Quarterly Performance Report on the Housing 21 website or speak to your local manager for more information.

Your home is your private space, and we will always respect that.

Housing 21 has introduced a new Lawful Access Policy, which explains when we may need to enter your home for repairs, safety checks, maintenance or wellbeing concerns.

The policy helps us keep residents safe while respecting your privacy and independence.

If possible, please be at home for appointments. This gives you the chance to:

• Speak directly with the Housing 21 colleague or contractor
• Understand what work is being carried out
• Ask questions or raise any concerns

If you can't be there, we may still be able to access your home with your permission. We need your consent each time, which can sometimes take longer to arrange and may delay the appointment.

We understand that it's not always possible to be at home due to health, care, family or other commitments. If you need to rearrange an appointment or update your contact details, please let us know.

If you need support, speak to your local manager.

You can find the Lawful Access Policy on the Housing 21 website.

Housing 21 is celebrating its 62nd anniversary with MADE (Make A Difference Everyday), an initiative recognising the positive impact employees and residents have on individuals, communities and the organisation.

Following anniversary celebrations across the country, MADE will continue to highlight those who go the extra mile, whether supporting residents, helping colleagues or bringing people together.

We'll be sharing more MADE stories in the coming months. To find out more, visit the MADE pages on our website.

Care Survey reports are now available to view online on the relevant scheme pages of the Housing 21 website.

The reports are available only for schemes where care is provided by Housing 21. They do not apply to schemes where care is provided by an external care provider.

To view the reports, visit your scheme page on the Housing 21 website.

Water butts and hosepipes can be useful when caring for our gardens, but during hot weather it is important to use them safely.

Legionella bacteria can grow in warm, stagnant water. During periods of hot weather, water stored in a water butt or hosepipe left in the sun can become warm enough to create conditions where bacteria may grow.

The main risk comes when contaminated water is released as a fine spray that could be breathed in. This can happen when using a hosepipe, sprinkler or spray setting.

To help reduce the risk:

• Avoid using fine spray settings or pumps when taking water from a water butt.
• Use collected water regularly and top up with fresh rainwater.
• Empty and clean your water butt if debris builds up at the bottom.
• Disconnect hosepipes when you are not using them, allowing the water to drain out.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after gardening and handling water butts or hoses.

We publish the latest news and updates on our website, here’s some highlights from the last month:

Naming ceremony for South Wootton scheme

An Extra Care development in South Wootton is officially named Saltern View, as part of a naming competition.

New Extra Care scheme for Thorpe St Andrew

A ground-breaking ceremony has taken place to mark the start of work on a new Housing 21 Extra Care scheme in Thorpe St Andrew, creating new homes and support for older people in the local community.

Housing 21 colleagues take to the skies for charity

Nine colleagues from our London management team are preparing to jump 10,000 feet from a plane on 16 September, raising money for Cancer 
Research UK and Mental Health Matters. The team hopes to raise £5,000 between the two charities.

Find these stories and more on the Housing 21 website.

We love seeing the activities, events and fundraising that take place across Housing 21 schemes. October has plenty of opportunities to get involved, learn something new and bring residents together.

Black History Month

October is Black History Month in the UK, a chance to celebrate Black heritage and culture, learn about the experiences of Black communities and recognise their contributions to society.

Stoptober

Stoptober encourages people to stop smoking and make positive changes to their health. If you are thinking about quitting, October could be a good time to start.

Halloween

From decorations and fancy dress to pumpkin carving and social events, Halloween can be a fun opportunity to get creative and spend time together.

Is your scheme planning an activity, fundraiser or event this October?

We’d love to hear about it and share your stories and photos. Speak to your local team about sharing your plans, or send your photos and stories to us.

A quick monthly check is all it takes to make sure your pendant alarm is working properly when you need it most.

Your pendant alarm is there to give you peace of mind, knowing that help is always just a button press away. Taking a few moments to test it regularly helps ensure it will work reliably in an emergency.