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.”