“Get involved” – resident representatives encourage participation
The residents’ representatives at VAV share a desire to make a difference and ensure that residents’ voices are heard. The residents’ representatives encourage anyone who is interested to get involved. Resident activities bring people together and make living here more enjoyable.
Christa Hautamäki, who lives in Ilola, has served as chair of her own neighbourhood committee for about a year and, for around half a year, has also led the executive committee for all resident activities. She ended up becoming a residents’ representative almost by chance, when the previous chair of her neighbourhood moved away and the local residents felt she was articulate and well-suited to the role.
“For me, the most important thing is being with people and being able to pass on the residents’ thoughts and wishes,” Hautamäki explains. In his view, the importance of affordable housing is particularly evident in Vantaa. “Jobs and economic growth are to be found in the capital region. Vantaa has several transport hubs, and it is essential that workers can live affordably close to good transport links,” she says.
The chair of the regional committee, Anneli Sinkkonen, who has lived in Hakkilä for a long time, also emphasises the importance of residents’ voices and the importance of affordable housing. She has lived in VAV housing since 1997 and says she has seen just how important stability and predictability are to residents. Anneli Sinkkonen also serves as vice-chair of the entire chairpersons’ committee and as a resident representative on the board of VAV Asunnot Oy.
Affordability is valued
“People are on a tight budget these days. It is hugely valuable to be able to live safely and affordably in one’s own home,” says Sinkkonen.
In recent years, tenant satisfaction has been boosted in particular by VAV’s moderate rent setting. Sinkkonen says he receives praise for the fact that VAV manages its finances with a long-term perspective and responsibly. “Tenants keep a close eye on rent increases at other companies. For many, they have risen considerably more. We, on the other hand, have managed to keep our increases very moderate – that’s really important.”
In day-to-day life, the topics of conversation change with the seasons. In winter, residents discuss the start of the heating season, snow clearance and gritting. Hautamäki explains that there are a lot of questions, particularly at the start of the heating season, even though comprehensive information is available on VAV’s website. “Residents naturally get in touch, and that’s exactly how it should be. We’re here for them.”
Open discussion builds trust
According to Hautamäki, it would be important to get more active resident representatives involved: “Many people may fear that getting involved is a lot of work or requires specialist knowledge. However, anyone can get involved – the barrier to entry is very low. I started from scratch myself.”
Events organised by VAV, such as residents’ days and Christmas concerts, are, in her view, good opportunities to encourage new residents to get involved. “Resident representation is about building a community, not toiling away on your own. Feel free to get in touch with any chairperson. We’re open to ideas and will always do our best to help.”
Sinkkonen is also of the same opinion: “The men and women who have long been responsible for resident activities in VAV’s blocks are starting to get on in years. That is why we hope that young residents in particular will take an interest in the wide range of activities on offer in their blocks.”
According to Hautamäki and Sinkkonen, both the small everyday matters and the larger policy decisions are best resolved when there is open dialogue and mutual trust. VAV’s diverse communication and feedback channels have been praised. “Staying in touch has been made easy. Residents appreciate that there are several channels for communication, such as the telephone, WhatsApp and OmaVAV”.
The residents’ meetings held in the spring offer an opportunity to get involved in VAV’s resident activities. Keep an eye out for notices in your own building.
Resident representation is about building a community, not working in isolation. Please feel free to contact any of the chairpersons. We’re here to listen to your ideas and will always do our best to help.
Christa Hautamäki, Chair of the Area Committee