Neighbourhood Awards 2008

South Staffordshire Housing Association has been declared the overall winner of this year’s National Housing Federation’s Neighbourhood Awards.

The prestigious award is given for a project which demonstrates innovation, commitment to neighbourhoods, customers, excellence and evidence of improved service.

The association received the accolade for its Project Independent Living which drastically reduces waiting lists for adaptations for people with disabilities, enabling them to regain dignity and independence.

Project Independent Living has enabled more than 1000 people to live independently at home, rather than rely on relatives or friends. It has reduced waiting times for major adaptations from two years to three months; and reduced waiting times for minor adaptations from twelve months to just 7 days. It has also reduced the average cost of major adaptations by 40%.

The lynchpin of the improved service is that South Staffordshire Housing Association funds an occupational therapist who has trained many housing staff to make their own assessments, thus cutting down on red tape, time and money.  

Neighbourhood Awards Website (external link)

RoSPA Gold Award

South Staffordshire Housing Association was presented with a gold award at the prestigious Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2008 for the fourth year running.

We are one of only a few housing associations in the country to receive the accolade for a fourth time. The awards are not just about reducing accidents and cases of ill health at work but also helping to ensure organisations have good health and safety management systems.

Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies Accredited

The housing association has received accreditation from the Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies (CSHS) acknowledging that we deliver a highly-effective service for older residents with differing housing needs and aspirations.

To win the accolade, the association had to demonstrate excellence against ten standards which identify good practice in the provision and delivery of services in retirement housing including independence and empowerment, trained and supported staff and physical environment.