Posted 13.03.13
Shared services and outsourcing could play a significant part in an emerging 'mixed market' of housing association structures, partnerships and approaches, according to a new report from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).
Going to Market - the role of outsourcing and shared services in housing associations looks at the ways housing management could be delivered in the future as associations strive to do more for less.
It suggests that housing associations could exploit the emerging market best if they utilise the potential for significant competition and shared services among and between themselves.
CIH senior policy and practice officer Joanne Kent-Smith, who co-wrote Going to Market, said:
"Such an approach would require significant cultural change. Competition has often been about competing for government resources - it would require a different mentality to identify strengths and market these effectively to other service providers.
"It would, however, mean that any profits could be used for investment in housing provision and services rather than going out of the industry.
"Outsourcing and shared services are useful tools which associations can use to help run their business, but organisations will need to be clear about:
- The potential risks around loss of skills, degradation of quality and unsustainable savings.
- The absolute importance of good procurement and contracting arrangements and skills. The strength of any contract or partnership is reliant on the effectiveness of the client."
Going to market, sponsored by Orbit and Circle Housing Group, aims to encourage debate in the sector and outline the issues associations need to think about when considering outsourcing or sharing services.
It follows up last year's Does size matter - or does culture drive value for money? Its findings are based on detailed interviews and visits to Circle and Orbit, both of whom have extensive experience of outsourcing arrangements, interviews with a range of other housing associations and key players, and analysis of HouseMark benchmarking data for 2011/12.
Ayrshire Associations Form Alliance
Posted 05.03.13
Four housing associations based in Ayrshire have come together as Eydent - The Alliance of Ayrshire Housing Associations. The associations involved are ANCHO, Atrium Homes, Ayrshire Housing and Irvine Housing Association.
The associations have common interests to build on. Their focus will be about sharing good practice and working together to meet shared challenges and opportunities.
