A community champion has beaten hundreds of rivals to the shortlist for a ‘housing hero’ award.

Tracy Chandler, community development officer for housing management body Ascham Homes, is one of just six people competing for a national 2013 Housing Hero award after seeing off nearly 300 others.

Ms Chandler has been responsible for organising Ascham Homes’s community engagement programme for four years, and has set up 20 residents associations, organised neighbourhood forums and fun days as well as worked with police to solve problems during that time.

She is now in the running for Tenant Engagement Individual of the Year at the awards, organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Ascham Homes chief executive Madeleine Forster said: “Tracy works tirelessly to support our residents across the borough. She helps them with everything from repairs and tackling anti-social behaviour, to improving estates and green spaces and encouraging community cohesion.

“She is well-liked by staff and residents alike and is an asset to Ascham Homes. We are so pleased that she has been shortlisted for this award.”

The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in Manchester on Monday, June 24.