21 August 2009
Spectrum helps boost affordable housing in Solihull
Residents in south Solihull are set to benefit from an affordable housing boost thanks to a new partnership between Solihull Community Housing (SCH) and a leading west midlands-based development consortium.
SCH is joining forces with Spectrum Development Partnership, led by West Mercia Housing Group, to develop plans for new homes in south Solihull as part of a west midlands development programme worth more than £175m.
SCH is a not-for-profit Arm's Length Management Organisation (ALMO) set up to run the housing service on behalf of Solihull Council and manages more than 10,700 homes.
Spectrum Development Partnership is an alliance of 10 housing associations which are working together to regenerate neighbourhoods, build communities and create at least 1,000 new affordable homes in the west midlands each year.
Since SCH was formed in 2004, the waiting list for the borough has increased from around 4,000 to around 12,000. SCH hopes that joining the consortium will help it build new homes to meet this need.
Matt Cooney, chief executive, said: “Spectrum has been involved in the £1.2bn regeneration of north Solihull, one of the largest regeneration projects in the UK. We are looking forward to drawing on this experience and picking up tips for developing in south Solihull.
“Our vision is to create 2,000 homes by 2020 and joining the consortium will bring us a step closer to achieving this goal and becoming an established developer in the area.”
Kathryn Robb, business development manager at Spectrum Development Partnership, said: “Solihull Community Housing is a three star, excellent ALMO and we’re delighted to welcome them to the partnership.
“As the first ALMO to join the consortium, SCH will bring more knowledge and skills to our already diverse experience. We already have a strong track record in north Solihull and we are sure that SCH’s involvement will help to strengthen our partnership working in the area.
“We also hope to be able to support SCH to meet the challenge of providing new homes for residents in south Solihull.”
Ends
Notes to Editors:
West Mercia Housing Group, based in Bromsgrove, manages approximately 23,000 homes across the West Midlands, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
, based in Bromsgrove, manages approximately 23,000 homes across the West Midlands, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
The group is structured to facilitate local accountability and the provision of high quality local services.
Founded in 1998, the group consists of Whitefriars Housing Group, Harden Housing Association, Nexus Housing, Kemble Housing and Herefordshire Supported Housing for Young People Project (SHYPP).
West Mercia Housing Group is a development partner with the Homes and Communities Agency. It is the lead member of the Spectrum Development Partnership.
Spectrum Development Partnership was established in 2003. It is a partnership of nine independent registered social landlords (RSLs) and one Arm’s Length Management Organisation (ALMO). Led by West Mercia Housing Group, the partnership includes Advance Housing Association, Bromsgrove District Housing Trust, Central Borders Housing Group, Heantun Housing Association, Herefordshire Housing, Nehemiah UCHA, Severnside Housing, Stafford and Rural Homes and Solihull Community Housing.
was established in 2003. It is a partnership of nine independent registered social landlords (RSLs) and one Arm’s Length Management Organisation (ALMO). Led by West Mercia Housing Group, the partnership includes Advance Housing Association, Bromsgrove District Housing Trust, Central Borders Housing Group, Heantun Housing Association, Herefordshire Housing, Nehemiah UCHA, Severnside Housing, Stafford and Rural Homes and Solihull Community Housing.
Between them the partners:
• Own and manage 60,000 homes across the West Midlands
• Have a development programme in excess of £175m
• Will deliver 1,000 new affordable homes each year
• Are active in 23 local authority areas in the West Midlands region
• Have over 1,800 staff.
West Mercia Housing Group is an investment partner with the Homes and Communities Agency.
For further information please contact Val Hunt or Nikki Cheung, at The Bridge Group, on 024 7656 0440, or v.hunt@bridge-group.co.uk