ForHousing has launched a new Tenant Talent Pool, a fast-track route into employment for tenants, designed to ensure lived experience is represented within the organisation.
Any ForHousing tenant who is looking for work can apply — no previous experience is required, only enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. To register, tenants will need to submit a CV and cover letter, which will be reviewed as part of the shortlisting process. While registration does not guarantee selection, shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview. When suitable vacancies arise, the highest-scoring tenants will be invited to apply first.
The initiative aims to support tenants into sustainable careers while helping ForHousing ensure that services are informed by the experiences and perspectives of the communities it serves.
For entry-level, admin, and apprentice roles, the highest-scoring tenant will be offered the role, with no need to reapply or interview again. For specialist roles, top-scoring tenants will be offered first interviews ahead of external applicants.
The launch of the Tenant Talent Pool supports a wider Greater Manchester Housing Providers (GMHP) initiative, the 20% movement, which aims for one in five colleagues across participating organisations to be social housing tenants by 2034.
This builds on ForHousing’s already established employment support offer, the Tenancy Resilience service, which has specifically supported ForHousing tenants since 2023 with one-to-one support, work experience, and training — fully funded by ForHousing.
The organisation is on track to meet the 20% target. Currently, 13% of its colleagues are social housing tenants, including 9% who are ForHousing tenants and 4% from other social housing providers. Additionally, 19% of colleagues have lived experience of being a social housing tenant at some point.
ForHousing’s Tenant Talent Pool was piloted in October 2025 and has already seen success. Anthony Kollie was recruited through the initiative and now works as a Motiv8 DWP Keyworker in the ForHousing Neighbourhood Services & Supported Living team.
Anthony said: “Being part of the Talent Pool has given me confidence and helped me reconnect with my career aspirations. The supportive culture, grounded approach, and genuinely friendly team make it a fantastic opportunity. I’d definitely recommend registering.”
Jenny Neville, Deputy Chief Executive at ForHousing, commented: “The Tenant Talent Pool is about opening doors for our tenants and making it easier for them to access sustainable careers. By bringing tenants into our workforce, we can better understand the challenges they face day to day and make sure the services we provide truly reflect the needs of the communities we serve.
“This strengthens our commitment to inclusive employment and tenant-led services, building on existing initiatives such as our colleague tenant working group, which already provides valuable insight into our services.
“It also supports Greater Manchester Housing Providers’ wider ambition to recruit more people from social housing, ensuring lived experience helps shape how services are delivered and build stronger connections between colleagues, customers and communities.”
The Tenant Talent Pool will open twice a year. The current registration window opened on 9th February and closes on 6th March. A further registration window will be available later in the year.
For more information on the Tenant Talent Pool and how to register, please visit www.forhousing.co.uk/careers/talent-pool/.
