Posted 27.02.17
South Yorkshire HA: Article link
For the second year running, South Yorkshire Housing Association (SYHA) has been named as one of the Sunday Times Best 100 Companies (Not-For-Profit) To Work For.
The housing association, which has 6,000 properties across South Yorkshire and employs over 550 people, was placed in 40th place on the list - up 22 places from 62nd last year.
SYHA was also placed 20th in a separate Best 25 Housing Associations list - up five places from last year.
The list is compiled based on detailed feedback from staff at every organisation surveyed.
South Yorkshire Housing Association was recognised for enabling staff to shape their own training, as well as the various opportunities to develop as an individual.
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Posted 20.02.17
Homes and Communities Agency: Article and report links
The 2016 Global Accounts of private registered providers (published 17 February by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), shows that the social housing sector has had a solid year of investment underpinned by strong in-year financial performance.
The Global Accounts gives an annual overview of the financial status of the social housing sector and is based on analysis of the regulatory financial returns and statements that are submitted by private registered providers managing or owning 1,000 or more homes.
For the first time, the report sets out group as well as entity level data providing a clearer view of activity - such as open market sales, which typically takes place in unregistered subsidiaries.
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Posted 17.02.17
Derwentside Homes: Article link
The merger of Derwentside Homes, Cestria and Isos Housing Group has been formally announced.
Having secured conditional approval from the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), the three organisations will start trading as one from this coming April.
In total, the three merger partners already own and manage over 23,500 homes and the new group will become one of the top three housing associations in the North East.
Combining the recent HCA grant allocations for Isos, Cestria and Derwentside means the enlarged group will manage one of the largest allocations of any landlord nationwide.
This would add up to more than £42 million of HCA funding, to enable the building of more than 1,350 homes over the next five years.
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Posted 15.02.17
Shoreline Housing Partnership: Article link
Two of Lincolnshire's leading housing providers - Shoreline and Boston Mayflower - have agreed to proceed in principle with merger plans that will create a 12,700 home landlord.
Following a three month independently-supported evaluation, the Boards of both organisations have agreed to continue with plans to bring the two organisations together.
In coming weeks, consultation will commence with tenants and employees of both housing providers as well as key stakeholders, local authorities and the wider community. Lenders will be involved as the plan further develops.
The Boards of both providers will take a final decision in the summer. If finally agreed, the new partnership could be launched in October 2017.
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Posted 14.02.17
First Wessex: Article link
Plans to create the largest provider of housing association homes in Hampshire have moved a step closer with the Homes & Communities Agency having given its full support to the merger of First Wessex with Sentinel Housing Association.
The new company, called VIVID, will see the associations merge to create a new 30,000 home business with a strong commitment to addressing housing need and building more new homes in the region.
Next steps are to conclude negotiations with funders, before seeking approval from the Financial Conduct Authority.
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Posted 10.02.17
Third Force News: Article link
A troubled housing association has been forced to hand over management to the Scottish Housing Regulator after endemic failures in its governance.
It follows a damning independent review into the way Wishaw and District Housing Association was being run.
The Regulator said serious weaknesses in the organisation's governance, risk management and financial planning posed a serious risk to tenants' interests.
It said it was using its right to impose statutory appointments to ensure the Association has the right skills and expertise to tackle "serious weaknesses".