The Business of Social Housing - An ECHO Business advertising supplement

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Business

An ECHO Business advertising supplement

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The Business of social housing

WHAT THEY SAY ‘New homes being built helps create jobs and gives home-seekers greater choice’ Ben Clay, Plus Dane

‘Our aim is to create 400 new homes by the end of next year’ Brian Simpson, Magenta Living

‘We have a crucial role to play in the strengthening and support of communities’ Roy Williams, Sovini

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IVERPOOL Mayor Joe Anderson has pledged to oversee the provision of 5,000 new homes in the city. While this target includes family and executive housing, a large proportion are being built as part of the Housing Delivery Plan, many of which will be ‘affordable’ homes built in conjunction with the c ity Council’s Registered Providers of Social Housing or by private developers with significant input from the council.

A key function of social housing is to provide accommodation to people on low incomes, with limits to rent increases ensuring that the homes are affordable.

Over the next five years, the programme has the potential to provide a substantial number of new homes which are being constructed in response to demand from an increasing jobs market and a desire for better quality and choice.

Labour Councillor in charge of the housing portfolio is Ann O’Byrne.

She is confident that not only will Joe’s target be met, this mix of social, private and executive accommodation, needed to break the mould of low-value, terraced accommodation, is well

In association with

Councillor Ann O’Byrne, above. Top, Bellway's Williamson Place is just one of the developments helping to transform the city on the way to becoming a reality, so transforming the city’s fortunes.

Ann explained: “People are looking to move back into the city, and we’re seeing numbers beginning to stabilise again.

Outside of London, Liverpool is the fastest-growing city in terms of its economy. People want to live here again and take

advantage of everything the city has going for it, both economically and culturally.”

One of the main focuses of social housing activity revolves around north Liverpool and the inner core area to the north and north east of the city centre.

In the low demand terraced streets to the north and east of the city, old housing stock has been demolished and in its place exciting new schemes such as The Parks in Anfield and Williamson Place in Edge Hill have risen.

Further afield, Claremont Gardens, Joshua Place, Ellergreen, Millbrook and Norris Green Village have seen poorer quality social housing replaced with popular new homes across a range of tenure options.

“Residents are so proud of their new homes,” explained Ann. “Where once they would have a yard at the back of the terrace, they now enjoy their gardens.

“Housing standards have been dramatically improved, and living standards have risen accordingly. Sustainable communities are beginning to develop, and as well as the neighbourly feel, people know they can feel safe in their homes.”

Private landlords also play an important role in the city’s housing scenario, and there are opportunities to work with landlords to help meet the housing needs of the city and to redevelop empty houses.

With increased standards lying at the heart of the Housing Delivery Plan, the Council has announced a 10 point pledge which aims to build on the positive engagement with many landlords in the city through its landlord accreditation scheme.

The 10 point pledge makes it very clear what the Council expects of private landlords and the measures in place to ensure standards remain high.

Working with a strategic housing delivery partner, the City Council will also endeavour to bring 1,000 empty houses back into use in areas of the city with high concentrations of such properties.

Ann O’Byrne concluded: “Liverpool is such a dynamic and vibrant city, and its residents are so proud to live here.”

Thanks to the Housing Delivery Plan and the Mayor’s 5,000 new homes goal, social housing is part of an exciting mix in the city and it’s opening the door to even more of those proud residents.

‘We play an important role in the overall provision of decent housing’ Alun L Hughes, of Wirral Methodist Housing Association

‘Our mission is to transform people’s lives and their communities Brian Cronin, Your Housing Group

Thursday, June 26, 2014

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The business of social housing

Why small - and local - is beautiful

Alun L Hughes, Chief Executive of Wirral Methodist Housing Association Ltd, on how smaller housing associations are contributing to the provision of decent housing

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HE housing association not-for-profit sector is dominated by larger players, ranging in size from those set up in recent years to receive housing stock transferred by local councils to regionally and nationally-operating organisations.

In amongst these are small, local housing associations, such as Wirral Methodist, who play an important role in the overall provision of decent housing.

Smaller housing associations, rooted in the local communities they serve, are physically closer and often more attuned to their tenant’s needs and those of their neighbourhood around them. For these reasons they are well placed to offer a directed service and contribute to the identification of key issues locally.

As a result, they are often well respected, having high satisfaction amongst tenants, and offer cost-effective services which see resultant financial surpluses ploughed back into their work in the community.

With boards of voluntary members to direct policy and direction, such organisations are valuable social enterprises churning financial resources close to home.

At Wirral Methodist Housing Association, we come to work each day in the community we serve.

We can see with our own eyes what needs to be done and, from the people who come to us for help, we can understand where the challenges are that need to be met.

In this way we can undertake sympathetic, sensitive developments that meet the

needs of those whose voices might otherwise be overlooked.

We go the ‘extra-mile’ and offer a personalised approach that treats people as individuals.

The smaller housing associations offer something different and remind us that people can make a real impact at a local level to the community in which they live.

In a world which is used to thinking that big is best, it serves as a useful reminder that the most effective service is that operated locally by local people for local people.

That is what Wirral Methodist has been doing for the past 50 years and plans to do for the next 50.

Soon to be completed flats at New Brighton represent Wirral Methodist Housing Association’s latest contribution to meeting housing need in Wirral

WIRRAL METHODIST HOUSING ASSOCIATION

On a Journey ...

On a Mission 2014 is a special year of celebration for Wirral Methodist Housing Association as it reflects back on 50 years of leading the way in providing decent affordable housing throughout Wirral, one of the first housing associations established on Merseyside.

The charitable Industrial and Provident Society, founded by eight Methodists moved by the plight of those in housing need around them and driven by Christian concern, set about making a real difference to people’s lives by fundraising to buy houses for rent at, “reasonable rents ... irrespective of colour, class or creed”, thus creating a ‘safety net’ for families failed by the system.

Such farsightedness was three years before the influential TV drama “Cathy Come Home” raised national awareness of the scandal of lack of housing options available and spawned the growth of the housing association movement.

From its home in Birkenhead, the Association has grown

through its innovative, commitment to neighbourhoods and individuals, to over 800 homes, providing sheltered accommodation for the elderly, family housing, flats over shops for young people and specialist housing for those with special needs. Also through its commercial investment activity in the Hamilton Quarter of Birkenhead and in Ellesmere Port, it is combating the decline of the shopping street scene, ensuring shops stay open for business.

Chief Executive, Alun Hughes said, ”The challenges facing people trying to secure decent affordable housing for themselves are as real today as when the Association was formed. We are in danger of returning to the housing world that would have been familiar to our Founders 50 years ago and the need for our services is greater than ever”

4 NEWS

Thursday, June 26, 2014

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The business of social housing

Living and breathing social value James Flannery, director of community regeneration at Fusion21, on delivering community regeneration through procurement and partnership

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USION21 has worked with many registered social landlords across the Merseyside region in helping provide social value through community regeneration.

Members using our procurement services mean they are compliant with The Social Value Act. The Act requires local authorities and other commissioners of public services to consider how their services can benefit people living in the local community.

We collaborate with social landlords, residents, local agencies, contractors and suppliers to deliver a wide range of programmes, skills training courses, commissioned consultancy projects and employment

opportunities within local communities.

Whatever scheme we undertake, social value comes as part of the package. Fusion21 lives and breathes social value. It’s what we do and we are proud of creating over 1,300 jobs and, through our members, bringing benefits to local communities worth more than £30 million.

We monitor the impact of our social value delivery by the use of Regeneration and Local Economic Benefit Plans. These contain clear objectives, set targets and provide detailed progress reports and analysis.

We look forward to our continued partnership with registered social landlords and other organisations in

delivering community regeneration projects across Merseyside to benefit communities and local people. ● Visit socialvalue.co.uk to see examples of our work across Merseyside or email us at info@fusion21.co.uk for more information.

Fusion21 has worked with South Liverpool Homes (SLH), Building Skills for the Future and Countryside to create opportunities for apprentices on regeneration programmes in Speke and Garston

Procurement and Community Regeneration that delivers

0845 308 2321 fusion21.co.uk socialvalue.co.uk #socialvalue

Our Procurement frameworks include: Bathrooms, Central Heating, Grounds Works, High Rise, Kitchens, Lifts, Roofing and much more.

6 NEWS

Thursday, June 26, 2014

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The business of social housing

Helping people buy their homes Ben Clay, director of Homes Hub and new business for Plus Dane, talks about the positive changes winning the Help to Buy contract has brought to the business

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T’S a really exciting time for Plus Dane. We were awarded the Help to Buy contract in March and we now cover the whole North West region, assisting buyers in finding their ideal new home.

Covering a wider area and taking on this new project has meant we’ve now recruited a bigger team in our Liverpool office, where we’re based. So, not only will the Help to Buy scheme be great for our clients, it has been a really positive outcome for our company too, helping the economy grow.

The Help to Buy 1 programme is only available for those wanting a new build property. If you’re

eligible then you can receive up to a 20% loan from the Government funded through the Homes and Communities Agency. The loan is interest free for the first five years and you’ll only need a 5% deposit to buy a property (depending on your mortgage lender).

This scheme is aimed at people who are struggling to save a large deposit but who could otherwise be expected to sustain a mortgage, so it’s a really good way of getting on the property ladder.

And although around 90% of people who take advantage of the Help to Buy programme are first time buyers, it’s now got a broader eligibility criteria. It’s also

Ben Clay open to home owners who are looking for a new build property; maybe something larger for a growing family.

Having a much lower deposit to find can really speed up the process for families eager to move.

Plus we can also offer you advice and support finding solicitors and independent financial advisors to ease your moving process.

What’s more, this scheme

One of the developments available through Plus Dane in St Kevin’s Drive, Kirkby also helps the housing supply.

New homes being built helps create jobs and gives home seekers greater choice. The greater the confidence in the market, the more new homes are being built, boosting the local economy.

Our not-for-profit company also offers homes for rent and for purchase through other schemes.

We are a one stop shop for all home ownership products.

As well as the Help to Buy scheme, we also offer shared

ownership and older person shared ownership, all of which are supported by the Government.

You can browse the developments available on our website, www.helptobuynw.org.uk.

BUILDING OUR FUTURE Redrow Homes, Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Mutual Homes are delighted to announce: •

•

The delivery of 1,500 new homes

The refurbishment of 1,000 empty properties •

Investment of more than £200 million •

The creation of hundreds of jobs

visit: www.liverpool.gov.uk/buildingourfuture

Images typical of Redrow homes. Details correct at time of going to press.

NEWS 7

Thursday, June 26, 2014

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The business of social housing

Moving forward to help the community Brian Simpson, chief executive for Magenta Living (previously Wirral Partnership Homes), discusses the organisation's successful year and its exciting plans for the future

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Magenta Living opened its latest mixed housing development, Chapelhill, in Moreton, in April

ELL, what a fantastic 12 months we've had! In June last year we moved to new premises on Hamilton Street in Birkenhead, and at the same time relaunched the organisation as Magenta Living.

The move to the new building means that all of our departments are now under one roof, which has vastly improved how our residents can access our services. These include applying for jobs, making benefit claims, and using our computers with free wifi – all of which can be done in our 'customer hub.'

The Credit Union is also based here three days a week, which is a great service for those who don't

have a High Street bank. We really want to empower our communities and help them in every walk of life.

In addition to this, we have taken on seven apprentices this year and recently completed refurbishing the last of our eight tower blocks. This was part of a £28m investment programme, bringing all of our social housing up to standard, and is a fantastic achievement.

Looking forward, we're committed to continue providing the same high standard of service that we do now.

We have a number of exciting new developments currently being built across the region, and will continue working with the council and our other partners to help regenerate communities to

Brian Simpson improve life for everyone.

Our aim is to create 400 new homes by the end of next year, and we're halfway there already.

The landscape of social housing is changing and there are many people – including those in employment – who are now struggling to find suitable homes, so we want to extend our services to reach as many people as possible.

Vision is to be more than just a landlord

Roy Williams, CEO of One Vision Housing on how important it is to be part of the community and how listening to residents is key to success

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UR vision is to be the best; the best landlord, best employer, best business and best investor in communities.

One Vision Housing (OVH) was established in 2006 following a stock transfer from Sefton Council.

We are the largest registered provider of social housing in Sefton, Merseyside, with more than 11,700 homes throughout the borough, including over 550 leasehold properties.

Our communities are diverse and unique. We believe we have a crucial role to play in the strengthening and support of them. We genuinely want to try and ensure that our customers have the very best opportunities, services and options available to them – wherever they live.

We are more than just a landlord. We provide youth engagement projects, employment and skills clubs,

community projects , like the Ford Lane Youth Club in association with Everton in the Community, and our annual family fun day, Boofest, which takes place on August 8 this year.

We have allocated Neighbourhood Officers to support customers in their tenancy, a dedicated team providing welfare and benefits advice, and our ASB team works closely with Merseyside Police to help make the communities safer places to live.

As part of our business strategy, we involve residents wherever possible, using their invaluable knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting them, their families and neighbours, to ensure that we focus our attention and efforts on the things that matter most.

In recent years, the operating environment for social housing providers has changed dramatically, and so, like many other housing

Roy Williams with residents of one of One Vision’s newest developments in Sefton associations, we are now operating in new markets to create financial capacity to ensure continued investment in our existing businesses.

In November 2011 we brought our property maintenance service in-house, generating income for OVH while also gaining

more control over the quality of the repairs services our customers receive.

We have since created a group structure, The Sovini Group, which is set up in a way that allows us to bring together both not-for-profit providers, like One Vision Housing and Pine Court

Housing Association; as well as commercial enterprises such as Sovini Property Services, Sovini Homes and more recently, Sovini Trade Supplies.

Through the Sovini Group we will continue to create financial capacity and significant additional

funding for OVH and Pine Court through the commercial ventures.

Already since our group structure was set up, we have invested £15m back to the housing associations, creating new homes and investing in the wider community.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

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The business of social housing

Giving people a better quality of life Julie Fadden, chief executive of South Liverpool Homes, discusses how helping people improve their quality of life is really what matters; whether that’s finding them the right home or helping them through troubled times

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joined South Liverpool Homes in 2005 and the organisation didn’t have it’s eye on the ball, so to speak, but we turned it around and now larger businesses come to us to try and replicate how we do things – as a not-for-profit organisation we spend our money on our tenants.

For current tenants it’s important maintenance is carried out efficiently. We have a joint venture with Penny Lane Builders who ensure the best maintenance results and real customer service satisfaction.

For people looking for a home, we’ve set up a Think South Liverpool campaign, which is all about letting

properties that people actually want to live in.

If they have the means, then they can choose where they want to live and bring up their children, it creates happier, thriving communities because people can get a home of their choice.

We look out for the best interest of the tenants. We heard a young mum had two children but no beds for the kids so decided to let the property as ‘furnished’ so we could supply her with the furniture she needed. We want people to have a better quality of life.

A lot of people can find themselves in troubled times and situations, so we go and knock on doors, sit down

with them and try to help them.

That could be offering energy efficiency advice, benefits advice, tenancy support services, referrals or maintenance services.

In response to the bedroom tax, the company has tried to find another solution. Years ago, many properties were larger, three bedroom homes but now they’re under occupied. So, now we have developed more smaller homes, aiming to create a more stable neighbourhood where people can afford to live.

We’re also renovating a building on Booker Avenue, which will be sharedownership properties completed to a high standard. In the current economic climate people want affordable, quality homes and we’ve had lots of demand for these properties.

The company also supports a lot of local charities and organisations.

South Liverpool food bank helped 4,000 local people within 12 months – there’s a lot of people who can’t afford food and everyday essentials so have to choose between paying rent, heating their

Julie Fadden from South Liverpool Homes with tenants homes or going without food.

South Liverpool Homes does a lot of fundraising and activities to show its support and we also support The Whitechapel Centre.

We like to go out in to the community and help people too. Last Christmas we gave out 180 hampers to the

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elderly community, that could make a big difference to someone’s life. We also gave vouchers to schools and the lucky winners could select a bike from Halfords.

As well as catering for the communities, the company keeps its employees happy too. South Liverpool Homes landed the number one slot

in the Sunday Times’ Top 100 Best Not-for- profit Organisations to Work For. We treat our staff properly, if we have happy people then we tend to get happy clients.

They work in a demanding area with a lot of responsibility but they’re supported by their employer so they enjoy their work.

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Thursday, June 26, 2014

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The business of social housing

Creating life-changing opportunities Brian Cronin, Chief Executive, Your Housing Group on how social housing can bring out lasting changes to people’s lives

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OCIAL housing providers are ideally placed to bring about real and lasting change to the areas in which we work.

At Your Housing Group, our mission is to transform people’s lives and communities and we achieve this not only by investing in high quality housing but by delivering employment and training opportunities.

We also deliver and

support a huge range of projects that bring community benefits.

Although our organisation works across the whole of the North West of England, our regeneration work in Anfield is something that I am particularly proud of.

The Anfield Project has a vision to regenerate the area and is a partnership of Your Housing Group, Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Football Club.

The work we have been doing in Anfield is about much more than simple bricks and mortar, it’s about creating a safe and positive area to live.

It’s not only a focus on physical

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regeneration, but also a commitment to working together with our partners and community groups to create life-changing opportunities. People in the area can already see a new Anfield emerging, with new and refurbished housing and community facilities being completed on a monthly basis.

The partners are absolutely committed to working with local people to help create a revitalised community where people want to work, live and bring up their families.

The Parks in Anfield

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designer homes and tastefully refurbished listed buildings are now included in the expanding Regenda property portfolio.

Housing associations have a number of important roles to perform.

Providing a greater choice of accommodation, matching family need and personal aspirations to the perfect home is central to what we do.

Follow us @RBA2014 #RBA2014 The Regenda Group has tastefully refurbished The Foundry Apartments

Michael Birkett, Group CEO, the Regenda Group explains how Regenda understands that everybody has different needs and circumstances and provides an excellent range of services

Housing associations are evolving and Regenda has become a leading player in shared-ownership, helping residents get on that all-important property ladder, with a range of affordable and innovative financial packages to suit their income.

Across Merseyside, Regenda Homes Ltd now has a significant and growing selection of attractive property available for shared ownership.

For those who are looking to rent a small flat, a terrace or a detached home, Regenda also offers an extensive range of properties at affordable rents.

By putting the needs of our residents first, Regenda has become one of Merseyside’s leading housing associations.

We understand that everybody has different needs and different circumstances.

At Regenda we provide an excellent range of services and a whole spectrum of rented and home ownership choices to fulfil every need. ● For more information visit www.regenda homes.com, or call 0344 7360063

Thursday, June 26, 2014

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NEWS 11

The business of social housing

Extensive regeneration is bringing benefits to the whole of Anfield

A brighter future for local housing

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OUR Housing Group is one of the UK’s largest social housing providers with more than 32,000 homes across the North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands.

As well as a wide range of homes for social and affordable rent, Your Housing Group also provides homes for sale and shared ownership, as well as Extra Care housing for the over 55s and sheltered and supported accommodation for older people and young adults.

Your Housing Group doesn’t just build homes – major investment is being made in the regeneration of whole communities, building community facilities, landscaping of communal areas and providing vital facilities for more vulnerable residents. All of which help deliver their commitment to ‘transform lives and communities.’

PARTNERSHIP WORKING

With an enviable track record of successful partnerships, the group has formed unique collaborations with local authorities, NHS health providers and a range of investors. These partnerships have helped underpin an extensive development programme, which is in excess of £150m, contributing significantly to the Government’s ambitions to deliver 150,000 homes.

A sector leader in developing homes and communities, Your Housing Group is embarking on an ambitious programme of delivery over the coming months.

The development team currently has 1,427 units due to complete by March 2015 as part of the Affordable Homes Programme, funded by the Homes and Communities Agency. With ambitions to grow even more, Your Housing Group expects to

Properties in Tancred Road, Anfield, have been transformed

complete 1,000 homes a year from 2015.

TRANSFORMING ANFIELD

As the leading housing provider for Anfield, Your Housing Group has a great commitment to residents and the wider community. A strategic partnership, between Your Housing Group, Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Football Club, was formed last year with a vision to transform the landscape of Anfield.

The ambitious plans were outlined in the Spatial Regeneration Framework (SRF) and include a number of proposals to regenerate the area and, potentially, create some 700 long-term jobs.

Proposals outlined in the SRF include new housing, new business and retail premises, a training hotel, a proposed expansion of Liverpool FC’s stadium and a range of new community facilities in the area, including in Stanley Park.

Since 2009 the Group has invested in excess of £23m involving 202 properties in Anfield.

This has included creating new, modern homes, as well bringing back in to use a number of long-term vacant properties which had blighted the area.

The project seeks nothing less than a total revitalisation of Anfield through the delivery of the regeneration programme but one that also creates sustainable long term benefits.

To achieve this ambition an innovative approach has been taken in a number of areas. In relation to housing, it can be seen in the

Hestia Careers is an innovative apprenticeship programme in a partnership between Your Housing Group, the Isla Gladstone and the City of Liverpool College provision of ‘2 into 1s’, onebed terraces re-developed into larger, three-bedroom properties which are more suited to the housing needs of the families in the area.

The houses are created by transforming two small early 20th century terraces into one spacious, modern, threebed, family home with openplan living space, upstairs bathroom, and garden with seating area.

HESTIA CAREERS

Your Housing Group has also led several projects over the last 18 months to create new job opportunities.

Hestia Careers is an innovative apprenticeship programme creating opportunities for young people in the ever growing

catering and hospitality sector. The project is a partnership between Your Housing Group, the Isla Gladstone and the City of Liverpool College. Ten young people are currently taking part in the programme, placed with employers, including Liverpool Football Club, London Carriage Works and Hard Day’s Night Hotel.

The aim of the programme is to raise aspirations of local young people and provide mentoring and support to enable them to develop and succeed.

In a truly unique approach to job creation and future economic growth, the Anfield Project also proposes to build a 100-room training hotel on the new Anfield Square.

This would create 50 jobs and offer training to 10 people at a time in facets of the hospitality trade.

In addition, an innovative pilot procurement scheme earlier this year, between Your Housing Group and contractors Flanagan Building & Maintenance Services, has already, resulted in 16 jobs, including two full-time apprenticeship positions.

All 16 new employees were local, living within 10 miles of Anfield.

As one of the largest housing providers in the UK, Your Housing Group are ideally placed to deliver innovative developments, large scale regeneration and to successfully transform lives and communities.

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Properties across Merseyside from ÂŁ90 per week & no deposit For details visit

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