Meet Penny, Tenancy Sustainment Officer

Tell us about yourself

My name's Penny

As a Tenancy Sustainment Officer I work with people whose tenancies are at risk of failing for several reasons and try to get the right support in place from external agencies and to make sure they are getting all the help that they need to sustain their tenancies.

What's your favourite thing about your role?

My role is very diverse, so no two days are the same, and you certainly can’t get bored. I get to build relationships with others in the Trust through cross-team working, whilst also building relationships with external agencies.

If there is one favourite thing in this role it has been to make contact with people, especially when other support services are saying the client is impossible to engage with.

How did you start working in this sector? Was there anything that made you want to work with our communities?

Although I am the “new girl” to this team I have worked in Housing since 2003, I have worked as an Estates Manager, Housing Officer, Neighbourhood Officer and Income Officer and felt it was time for a change and a new challenge for me.

As cheesy as it sounds Housing is in my blood by Great Grandparents, Grandparents and mum all worked in housing.

Prior to working in Housing I worked in Housing Benefits, Council tax and prior to that I worked at a local Job Centre.

Tell me about a day at work that you’re really proud of

One of the most rewarding parts of my role is when I receive feedback from customers stating they feel more confident in being able to sustain their tenancy. Its great to see people who thought there was no hope see the fact there is hope and that with that bit of work, they can sustain their tenancy. What is also great to see is when a case comes together as you wanted it to. It doesn’t happen like this dreadfully often but when it does it is all the sweeter.

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time I like to spend time with my friends and family, I like to listen to a pod cast, I’m currently listening to the “The Therapy Coach” and highly recommend it, I’m also a succour for a box set.