On a sunny Tuesday evening, Setlementtiasunnot held a resident information session at the Helsinki House of Culture, attended by approximately fifty residents.
At the beginning of the event, our CEO Heli Kotilainen presented the results of a resident survey commissioned earlier this year by KOVA ry, the Association for the Promotion of Affordable Rental Housing. Residents from a total of 17 rental housing companies participated in the survey. The overall satisfaction of Setlementtiasunnot residents is 3.91 (max 5), which is the sixth best among the 17 companies. Overall satisfaction with the apartment was very good, at 3.89, ranking second best among the compared companies. Respondents were third most satisfied with their own residential building, at 3.98. Areas for development highlighted in the survey included maintenance and upkeep services related to the residential building. When asked about residents’ participation in resident activities, Setlementtiasunnot residents are the most active participants, and we thank our residents for this.
During the spring, Setlementtiasunnot has been working on a strategy to provide guidelines for operations in the coming years. The strategy work has been based on a survey conducted for residents. Setlementtiasunnot’s goal is to be Finland’s best and most recognized expert in block concepts. In the strategy, the resident is also at the core of everything. The company’s mission is to offer affordable, ecological, and communal homes to the market. Setlementtiasunnot is also a social enterprise that generates well-being for people and the environment through its business.
To improve cooperation and co-governance, cooperation committees will be established. The committee’s task is to serve as a discussion and cooperation body between residents and the company, to provide the company with maintenance-related suggestions, and to share information on best practices among buildings. Committee members include representatives and alternate members elected by resident committees, resident representatives on the board, and a representative from Setlementtiasunnot.
Customer Service Manager Ella Remonen spoke about the changed operations of housing coordinators. The aim is to improve the accessibility of housing coordinators, and they can be reached via the Kerro resident application, through improved phone service, and by booking appointments. In the future, during office hours, one of the housing coordinators will always be available by phone. The duties of housing coordinators include apartment viewings, welcoming new residents, and tasks related to vacating an apartment. They draw up contracts, hand over keys, conduct preliminary and final inspections, provide housing advice, etc.
Housing counseling provides guidance on using services. Some residents may face challenges in their housing situation, and housing counseling helps, for example, in challenging financial situations. Housing coordinators also act as eyes and ears in the buildings and, if necessary, relay repair needs to the maintenance department.
The maintenance challenges highlighted in the resident survey are being addressed with a new building caretaker pilot. Lassila & Tikanoja’s Project Manager Markus Alftan spoke about a year-long pilot in the Helsinki metropolitan area, where a building caretaker works exclusively in Setlementtiasunnot properties. Petri Ketonen, Anton Hallberg, Piritta Räty, and Tero Nyman were present to introduce themselves.
Before the pilot, a survey will be conducted for residents, the results of which will be utilized as the work progresses. The initial survey will be sent to residents in the Helsinki metropolitan area via the Kerro application. After the pilot period, the operation will be analyzed, and further actions will be decided.
The pilot phase caretaker teams are Team 1 (Jätkäsaari, Merikartano, Kiltakartano, Muurala, Saunalahti), Team 2 (Borgströminmäki, Mamsellinkartano, Kalastajankartano, Kalasatama), and Team 3 (Ormuslinna, Malmi, Viikki, Alppikylä, Havukoski, Pumpulilinna, Haaga). Each team consists of two people.
So, what makes a good building caretaker? They know the residents, and the residents know them. A caretaker is a multi-skilled professional who knows the properties, and performs their work well, punctually, and quickly.
At the end of the event, 5 Linnanmäki entrance wristbands were raffled among all participants. Congratulations to all the winners!
Warm thanks to everyone who participated in the event. Have a great spring!
