by Kim Pidgeon | Jan 30, 2024 | News
Changes at the top: MTVH, Orbit Group and the Towns Unit
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MTVH CEO Geeta Nanda stepping down
After sixteen years as CEO of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, or its preceding organisations, Geeta Nanda, OBE has announced she is to step down from her role.
The former Chair of the G15 group has informed the MTVH Board of her intention to step away from the executive role in the Autumn of 2024 and once a replacement is in post.
Geeta Nanda, OBE, said: “When you have the privilege to lead an incredible organisation like MTVH for 16 years it can be hard to find the right moment to step away, but I know this is the right time for several reasons.
“First, we have bounced back from the pandemic, with an improved credit outlook, the ability to deliver more opportunities for our residents, and the strongest governance rating.
“Second, there is a real continuity, strength, and depth in our Chair, Board and senior team, colleagues, and involved customers who will carry on MTVH’s mission to give everyone a decent home and the chance to live well.
“Finally, this is also the right time for me personally as my mum turns 91 this year and I want to spend more time caring for her.
“I entered the affordable housing sector as a Housing Officer 35 years ago to give more people the security of a decent home and the opportunities that come with that. I’m grateful that MTVH has given me the opportunity to fulfil that purpose and proud that we have enhanced resident experience, created great places to live, and met the challenges faced by communities by supporting people to live well. With our great team here we have also completed, or progressed over 15,000, new homes in the past 16 years.”
MTVH’s Chair, Althea Efunshile, CBE, is leading the search and selection process for the new CEO, supported by other Board members, and has appointed executive search specialists Odgers Berndston to assist.
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PM appoints Towns Tsar
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has appointed Adam Hawksbee as interim Chair for the Towns Unit.
Adam, Deputy Director of the think tank Onward, will help deliver the government’s Long-Term Plan for Towns, backed by £1.1 billion overall, to regenerate 55 towns around the country.
Each town will receive a 10-year endowment-style fund with £20 million of funding and support to deliver long-term projects focused on the issues that matter most to local people, including regenerating high streets, protecting local heritage and cracking down on anti-social behaviour.
The Unit will ensure the Long-Term Plan for Towns delivers its promise by supporting local leaders to develop proposals, encouraging further investment from businesses and making sure that Towns Boards become long-term institutions that serve their communities.
Adam will be visiting towns up and down the country and reporting directly back to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove on how these places can better level up.
Adam’s work to date has focused on increasing economic growth and strengthening communities across the UK. He has published research on a range of topics including empowering regional mayors, tackling antisocial behaviour and reforming technical education. He was also previously Head of Policy to Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands.
Adam will be undertaking the role on a part-time basis, alongside his position as Deputy Director of Onward.
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Orbit Group appoints two new Non-Executive Board Directors
Emma Kenny and Priya Khullar have joined the Board of Orbit Group as Non-Executive Directors
An experienced Non-Executive Director, Emma Kenny, currently holds Non-Executive board positions at Cottsway Housing Association, VR Entertainment, Rematch and Innovate UK Loans.
She brings with her 25 years of experience in senior positions at global blue-chips in brand building, omni-channel marketing, customer journey and digital-led insights.
Priya Khullar brings a background in senior leadership roles focusing on customer experience, digital and data analytics, including positions with major UK and international organisations such as the Home Office, Conversity, BT, Pfizer and Sky, as well as a Non-Executive Director role with London Travelwatch.
Chair of Orbit Group, David Weaver commented: “We are delighted to welcome Emma and Priya to our Board. They are both very experienced board members with extensive expertise in customer experience, as well as sharing our commitment to making a social difference. I have no doubt they will both prove a real asset in helping us to continue to our drive to provide affordable, good quality, safe homes that our customers love.
“It’s an exciting time for Orbit as we look to shape our 2030 corporate strategy, and I look forward to hearing their insights and inputs as we develop this further.”
by Kim Pidgeon | Jan 14, 2024 | News
The housing association plans to build 200+ homes on the site
Bromford Housing Association has announced its largest land deal to date.
The social landlord has signed a contract for a multimillion pound land purchase of a 19.5-acre site in Matson, Gloucestershire.
Bromford plans to deliver over 200 homes on the land, which is close to the M5 motorway.
The site already has outline permission for 217 homes, which was granted by Gloucester City Council in April 2021.
The association, which owns and manages more than 46,000 homes across the West Midlands and West of England, is aiming to submit a full planning application for a mixed tenure development comprising around 50% rental homes plus shared ownership and outright sale, to the city council by the summer.
Operations director Robin Smith said: “We’re thrilled to have secured this land which offers the promise of providing homes to hundreds of families. It’s our biggest land purchase deal to date and demonstrates our growing ambitions to invest in more large-scale projects which allow us to make a bigger impact in the community.
“Over the months ahead we’ll be focused on drawing up plans to create a vibrant community of modern, energy efficient homes where our customers can thrive. Subject to planning permission, our in-house construction team will lead on the development of the site.
“This is a great start to the new year and we are also progressing further deals to secure even more land so we can continue to provide much-needed affordable housing across the region.”
The Matson site is less than a mile from Bromford’s previous biggest land purchase at Snow Capel, where planning permission was granted last year to build 180 new homes. Work on this site is due to start later in the year.
The association’s in-house construction team has also started work on a 100-home development in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire during the past six months.
Bromford, which is the biggest social landlord in Gloucestershire, says its ambition over the years ahead is to reduce its reliance on section 106 agreements and to lead on more of its own developments – as with the land at Matson.
by Kim Pidgeon | Dec 30, 2023 | News
Published results show the number of housing starts on site and completions
11,530 new houses were started and 11,297 new homes were completed from housing programmes delivered by Homes England between 1 April and 30 September 2023.
The figures in the official housing statistics report represent a decrease in both starts and completions compared to the same period in 2022.
The report points out that while actual numbers were lower, a higher percentage of starts on sites were for affordable homes than in the same period last year (86% and 74% respectively).
It states this is largely due to the living cost and mortgage rate increases associated with an economic downturn that typically results in a fall in market housing demand, but an increase in affordable housing demand.
Therefore, while the number of starts and completions fall, the decline is less pronounced within affordable housing.
Of the affordable homes started in this period:
- 1,058 were for Affordable Rent (a decrease of 51% on this period last year)
- 1,182 were for Intermediate Affordable Housing Schemes, including Shared Ownership and Rent to Buy (a decrease of 32%)
- 722 were for Social Rent (a decrease of 14%)
It’s worth noting the tenure is still to be confirmed for a further 6,965 of the affordable homes starts (an 11% increase on this figure for the same period last year). This is because providers are not contractually required to identify the tenure of a unit until completion.
Of the 11,297 housing completions from 1 April to 30 September 2023, 7831 were for affordable homes. For the same period in 2022, 7,905 affordable homes were completed – proportionally 2023 represents an increase (69% versus 64% respectively).
Of the affordable homes completed in this period:
- 3,092 were for Affordable Rent – a decrease of 16% from the same period last year
- 3,084 were for Intermediate Affordable Housing Schemes – an increase of 1%
- 1,174 were for Social Rent – an increase of 4%
- The remaining 481 were for First Homes – an increase of 1,103% on 40 First Homes completed in the same period last year.
Peter Denton, chief executive at Homes England, said: “The current economic downturn, with escalating interest rates, abnormal inflation, particularly in building material costs, and the growing cost of living crisis, have all had an impact on housing delivery.
“As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, we have acted as quickly as we can, working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to introduce flexibilities and ease the strain on our partners. We know that these pressures are likely to continue, and we shall continue to work with our partners and central government to support the sector to keep building.
“Times are tough and I’d urge existing and potential partners from the building industry, home providers, developers, investors and local authorities to engage with the Homes England team. We are here to help unlock solutions to problems and pave the way for more homes and regenerated places where people want to live and thrive.”
National housing statistics are published twice a year showing half and full year starts and completions as part of planned national statistical releases.
The next release is full year starts and completions, which are due to be published in May or June 2024.
Homes England programmes are funded by central government to enable private registered providers, house builders, community groups and local authorities to deliver affordable housing.
by Kim Pidgeon | Dec 14, 2023 | News
The housing association have phased our their programmes but will continue to provide support services
After more than 30 years, A2Dominion has completed its withdrawal from providing care services and will refocus on core housing objectives.
The London and southern-England-based housing association owns or manages over 38,000 homes and has 1748 homes in development.
The social landlord, who provided domiciliary care services for more than three decades, began phasing out four programmes in Berkshire and Surrey at the start of 2023 amid what it describes as ‘growing challenges faced by the wider care sector’.
Michael Reece, chief property officer at A2Dominion, said: “We’d like to thank all our colleagues, partners and everyone else involved in helping us to deliver high-quality care services to our customers over many years.
“It was not a decision we took lightly and as a housing association with a social purpose we remain committed to helping those in vulnerable circumstances in any way we can, including through retirement living, our supported services and community investment programmes.
“Looking ahead our core focus remains unchanged and we will continue to work hard to deliver for all our customers and provide homes people love to live in.”
The HA says its Specialist Housing team will continue to provide vital support services, including for young people and parents, students and key workers, as well as those at risk of domestic abuse and homelessness.
As part of the business changes, a new director will be appointed to lead the Specialist Housing team, with the existing post-holder Jo Evans moving to become the first Director of Repairs and Maintenance.
The G15 housing association commissioned a review into its care and support services in 2022 against a backdrop of growing pressure on the wider sector over funding and labour.
It says: “The Group board made the tough decision to exit amid the squeezed margins involved in delivering front-line services.
“In our new corporate strategy, we outlined our commitment to providing value-for-money to customers, stakeholders and investors, and we were not prepared to compromise on the quality of service.”
A2Dominion says it worked closely with the local authorities in Reading, Spelthorne and Woking to ensure a smooth transition of its domiciliary care provision that provided personal care and practical support, including assistance with medication, to those in need.
The four tenders were transferred to new providers at the natural end of the contract and the business retains a significant interest in services going forward as it continues to manage the buildings where care is provided.
by Kim Pidgeon | Nov 29, 2023 | News
Becoming a subsidiary will allow for more investment in both existing and new homes
Johnnie Johnson Housing (JJH) are set to join with fellow not-for-profit housing association Sanctuary, following approval from both organisations’ Boards for JJH to become a subsidiary.
Following due diligence, the results of which were presented to the Boards for consideration, a joint announcement of the deal was made on Monday 27 November.
JJH provide affordable homes across the UK’s northern regions and currently have a portfolio of almost 5000 homes. Sanctuary, who provide housing and care across England and Scotland, own and manage around 120,000 units of accommodation.
The completion of the merger will now be subject to obtaining the appropriate consents from the organisations’ lenders.
Speaking about the new partnership, Sanctuary’s group chief executive Craig Moule said: “Not-for-profit housing and care providers deliver a vital public service to society – we invest in maintaining and improving housing stock, provide a security of tenure that is affordable, develop new affordable homes and deliver good-quality care.
“There is space for organisations of any size in our sector and there are many organisations who provide excellent services to a single community, or a small number of neighbouring communities, but do not have the capacity to make significant investment in their existing homes or develop new homes.
“As one of the largest providers in the sector, we use our size and strength to invest and develop, to be efficient, while maintaining local, community-focused services.”
Yvonne Castle, Johnnie Johnson Housing chief executive, added: “We always look to provide the best possible service and make sure we are focused on what matters most for our residents – providing homes that they love to live in.
“We always want to do more. We are ambitious as experts in the field of providing homes and services, including Astraline’s Technology Enabled Care, for older residents. We know that through joining Sanctuary we will be able fulfil our ambitions and invest more in our residents’ homes than we could on our own.
“As always, the interests of our own residents and those of Sanctuary will remain our top priority.”
Yvonne Castle will leave her role in December, with Kathryn Fox-Rogers to lead the JJH subsidiary in the role of managing director.
Castle added: “I have built a hugely positive relationship with Craig and his colleagues over the last nine months and firmly believe the merger will benefit both organisations. It has been an absolute honour and a privilege to be JJH’s leader and I know that our residents and our colleagues are in great hands as the two organisations move forward together.”
