120 tenants at Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe have a new landlord, following agreement to transfer ownership of their homes from Guinness Northern Counties to Willow Park Housing Trust.
The transfer took place with the support and involvement of residents, following consultation by Guinness Northern Counties and over a year of planning by the two housing associations.
Guinness Northern Counties took the decision to transfer the properties at Woodhouse Park in support of Manchester City Council's 'rationalisation' agenda, which is aimed at reducing the number of social landlords working in the same areas of the City, thereby improving cost efficiency and giving each lead landlord a stronger role in delivering neighbourhood improvements.
Willow Park Housing Trust was established in 1999 and currently owns and manages nearly 7,500 homes in East Wythenshawe. The Trust has transformed housing conditions in the area and works with a wide range of partners to support the wider regeneration of this rapidly changing part of south Manchester. In 2007 the Trust was a winner of the Housing Corporation's Gold Award in the Empowering Communities category.
London & Quadrant Housing (L&Q) took over the ownership and management of 524 rented homes and five shared ownership homes in Croydon from Peabody housing association this week.
The homes that have transferred are mainly street properties that are spread across the Borough.
Peabody decided to transfer the homes because they do not have a base anywhere near Croydon and they wanted to find a landlord that could offer a more locally-based service.
In addition, 14% of the homes do not meet the 'Decent Homes' standard and will require substantial investment. The Government has set a target that, by the end of 2010, at least 95% of all housing association and council homes should be warm, weatherproof and have reasonably modern facilities.
L&Q Chief Executive David Montague said:
"A warm, dry home is the very least someone should expect and we have promised our new residents in Croydon that we will work with them to achieve the Decent Homes standard by the end of next year.
"L&Q is committed to providing top quality homes and services and in the longer term we will make sure we exceed this basic Decent Homes standard for our new residents."
L&Q, which already manages more than 1,000 homes in Croydon, worked with Peabody on a six-week resident consultation exercise before the decision to transfer was made.
Now the transfer has completed, L&Q will be carrying out surveys to find out residents' views and encouraging residents to get involved with neighbourhood committees.