Putting tenants first: Building careers through housing

As our CHOOSE Housing campaign continues sharing stories and examples of encouraging more people to consider housing as a career of choice, we share another example of good practice from housing provider ForHousing. Michelle Tomlin-Flack shares their story.

I’ve worked in employment support for over two decades and in social housing for 14 years. One thing has always been clear: stable employment transforms lives. At ForHousing, we believe that helping tenants into work is not just good for individuals it strengthens communities and makes tenancies more sustainable.

By creating employment pathways within our organisation, we’re not only supporting tenants into meaningful work, but also embedding their lived experience into the heart of our services, making housing a career that positively impacts the lives of social housing tenants.

Supporting tenants into work 

Our employment support service, which launched in April 2023, is open to all ForHousing tenants aged 16 and over. Whether someone is unemployed or looking to change careers, we offer one to one guidance, training, volunteering and work experience opportunities. So far, we’ve supported 364 tenants and helped 166 into employment, all fully funded by ForHousing.

The benefits to tenants go far beyond securing a job. Many gain confidence, improve their mental wellbeing, and feel more connected to their community. For some, it’s the first step toward financial independence; for others, it’s a chance to rediscover their potential after a difficult period. By listening to their goals and tailoring support, we’re helping people build futures they can be proud of.

Hiring from within: The tenant talent pool

We’re now taking things a step further, we’re developing a tenant talent pool. When job vacancies arise, we’ll recruit directly from this pool, offering tailored support and a five-day programme to help tenants step into meaningful roles at ForHousing. It’s a bold move, and one I’ve never seen in my 14 years in the sector.

This initiative gives tenants a real sense of belonging and purpose. It shows that their lived experience is not only valued, but also an asset. By creating a clear route into employment within our organisation, we’re helping tenants feel seen, heard and empowered to shape the services they rely on. Making a career in housing more accessible, as they can use the lived experience to make a difference in their roles.

The ‘20% Movement’: A shared vision

The talent pool initiative aligns with the ‘20% Movement’, which I co-lead alongside other housing professionals. Chaired by Alison Dean, CEO of Great Places, the movement aims for 20 per cent of Greater Manchester housing providers’ workforce to be tenants by 2034. It’s about more than numbers it’s about embedding lived experience into our services.

To achieve this vision, 20% Movement will focus on three key areas:

• Culture and values - creating a shared approach to data, best practices and values across housing providers to foster an inclusive employment culture.
• Raising aspirations - events during National Careers Week will spotlight housing careers and support services, inspiring tenants to explore new opportunities.
• Apprenticeships - expanding apprenticeships to make housing careers more accessible, especially for young tenants, by offering hands-on experience and breaking down barriers.

It’s about more than numbers; it’s about creating a culture that values tenant voice and experience. When tenants see people like themselves in leadership and frontline roles, it raises aspirations and breaks down barriers. It sends a powerful message: housing isn’t just a service; it’s a sector where you can belong and build a career.

Final thoughts

Our employment support service helps guide tenants into work but with initiatives like the tenant talent pool and 20% Movement, careers in housing are becoming more visible, less daunting, and genuinely within reach. By breaking down barriers and building confidence, we’re showing tenants that a future in housing is more than possible. Not only can they positively impact their own lives, but the lives of many social housing tenants.

I’m excited about the development of careers in housing and how this work will reshape the employment landscape and make building careers in our sector obtainable whilst putting tenants first.

You can hear more from ForHousing about their initiatives alongside other examples at our webinar: 'CHOOSE HOUSING: Employer Initiatives to Encourage Housing As A Career of Choice'. Join us on 17 September 2025 at 10am.

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Remember you can also catch up via our recordings too after this date.