The National Federation of ALMOs (NFA) represents and promotes arms length management organisations (ALMOs), not-for-profit companies established to manage council housing across the country.
She said: ‘I’m completely stunned and deeply honoured to have been awarded an MBE. I’m pleased that my work for Kensington and Chelsea TMO, and ALMOs nationally, has been recognised in this way.
‘I particularly want to thank my family, friends and colleagues for their faith and support over the years.’
'There are currently 70 ALMOs in England, managing over one million council homes, more than half the total stock.
Rawlings has been the Chair of the Kensington and Chelsea TMO Board since July 2003, and a board member since 2001.
She has taken an active part in the running of the residents’ association on her estate since 1993, and has been Chair for over 10 years. She speaks regularly at local and national housing events across the country about ALMOs and their promotion of tenant democracy.
NFA Chair Dennis Rees said: ‘This award is fully deserved. Juliet works extremely hard – not only for the tenants and residents of the Kensington and Chelsea but for ALMO residents throughout the country.
‘She attends high level meetings, meets government ministers and regularly speaks at housing events to promote the ALMO option.’
During her time as Chair, Rawlings has seen the Kensington and Chelsea TMO receive three-star accreditation from the Audit Commission and gain a national profile.
As a member of the NFA board, she helps formulate national policy decisions, and has represented ALMOs and the NFA in meetings with government ministers, including then Prime Minister Tony Blair, Secretary of State Ruth Kelly and Housing Minister Yvette Cooper.