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Landlord Changes Put Focus on Customer Service

Sue Rowley

A housing association which manages more than 5,300 homes across south Staffordshire has appointed a managing director for the first time.

Sue Rowley moved up from her role as director of operations to take on the mantle at South Staffordshire Housing Association as part of the organisation’s formation of a new housing group, Central Borders Housing Group.

Debbie Griffiths, who had previously been at the helm at South Staffordshire Housing Association, is now chief executive of the new group. It will focus on delivering efficient services to its partner associations, including South Staffordshire Housing Association, such as development, human resources and ITC, as well as selling services to other organisations.

Picture of Adrian Eggington

Adrian Eggington has been promoted to assistant managing director from his previous role as assistant director of housing.

“The aim of the managing director role here is to allow someone at an executive level to concentrate on customer service and the impact we have on the lives of people in our communities,” said Sue, who has been with the organisation since 2004.

“As a community-based organisation, we must not lose sight of why we are here – to provide quality homes that people want and can afford.”

“The communities in which we work have many challenges and we have a vital role in finding solutions for them. We have an increasingly ageing population, land is scarce and expensive, and there is a perception that the needs of people in rural areas are less than those in major conurbations, which is often incorrect.

“South Staffordshire Housing Association needs to work with its partners, like local councils, to find unique solutions to meet the needs and aspirations of our current customers, and those who will look to us for support in the future. 

“I am passionate about this new role. It means South Staffordshire Housing Association can focus on customers and improving our services further, while Central Borders Housing Group looks to develop the business side of things and seek greater efficiencies which will, ultimately, benefit our tenants.”

Sue lives in South Staffordshire. Originally from Lancashire, she has worked in a senior executive role for the past ten years. She studied at Bradford University before gaining further housing and management qualifications in Salford and Huddersfield.

(Released 1st February 2008.)

For more information about our executive team visit our Executive Team page.

New Development puts Home Ownership in Reach

Picture of the front of the Yew Tree Lane development

A new development of homes near Dudley is helping young couples and those struggling with high house prices get their first step on the property ladder.

The four two-bedroom apartments have been developed by South Staffordshire Housing Association for shared ownership in Yew Tree Lane, Coseley.

The deal puts the properties within reach of first time buyers and couples who otherwise would not be able to afford to buy their own home.

Buyers purchase a percentage of the property and pay rent on the rest. In time, as their income grows, they can buy more of a share if they want to. This means that, in Yew Tree Lane, a minimum 40 per cent share can be bought for just £44,000, with rent of £137.50 per month paid on the remaining 60 per cent.

Emma Rennocks, development manager for the project for South Staffordshire Housing Association, which manages more than 5,000 properties across the South Staffordshire area, said: “The gulf between income and house prices is still huge despite reports of a slow-down in the market.

“The average income in Dudley is £20,078 while the average property price is £153,837. This makes it incredibly difficult for many people to get on the property ladder and own their own home.

“Many resign themselves to having to rent indefinitely or else look to move out of the area to somewhere they can afford.

“Shared ownership properties are a way of making desirable homes affordable to people in the area where they want to live. They can get on the property ladder and then increase their share  of the building as their income increases, with the ultimate aim of owning it all themselves.

“We hope these four homes at Coseley will help young people get that foot up that they need.”

The properties, worth £110,000 on the open market, have been finished to a high specification and feature open plan kitchen/living area, fitted appliances including oven, fridge-freezer and washing machine, central heating, fitted wardrobes, carpets and car parking.

Anyone interested in finding out more should contact Skitts Estate Agents on 01902 686868 or visit the Link to a web page Coseley (external link) shared ownership page.

(Released 22nd February 2008.)

Board Moves to Next Stage in Consultation to Invest £7m on Housing for Older People in Essington

South Staffordshire Housing Association’s Board met last night to discuss plans for a £7 million redevelopment of homes for older people in Essington.

The decision to approve plans to move ahead with the development followed a full consultation with tenants living on the site,

Sue Rowley, Managing Director said: “Our tenants are, and will always be at the heart of our decision making – last night the Board heard the feedback from tenants at Park House.  Having listened carefully to it and been assured that every resident of Park House will be suitably rehoused while the redevelopment takes place they resolved to move forward with the proposal.

“Had the Board been unhappy with the feedback from tenants they would not have agreed to the scheme going ahead at all.”

South Staffordshire Housing Association has been holding initial one-to-one consultation sessions with residents of the existing scheme at Park House and their families since the opportunity to develop improved sheltered accommodation to replace the mainly bed-sit scheme became available in January.

Sue Rowley continued: “The next stage is to talk to the villagers. We will now hold a fully-staffed exhibition of the plan and invite local people to come, give their views and ask their questions. Only once we have consulted widely will a planning application be submitted.”

This development would create high-quality one and two-bedroom flats for older people Essington. It will have vastly improved facilities as well as more communal resources such as an internet suite, residents’ club room, gym and communal dining area. There would be landscaped gardens, additional parking and arrangements for extra support, care and health services.

Park House was built in the 1970s when bed-sit housing was commonplace. Today, both men and women are living longer and more couples, as well as single people, want affordable housing which caters for their needs. By 2012 it is predicted that one in five people in South Staffordshire will be over 60 years old.

Eric Holmes, Board member and Tenant Partnership representative for Essington, said: “For staff to speak to the wider community before the Board had heard the views of Park House residents would have been completely inappropriate. As a landlord SSHA was absolutely right to talk to the most affected people first.”

Sue Rowley added: “A plan like this needs proper consultation. We want to make sure the plans finally put forward have had as much community involvement as possible but only once our responsibility to listen to our tenants had been met.”

If anyone has any questions about the process surrounding the proposed redevelopment, they should call Tony Helm or Sue Rowley on 0800 0968690.

(Released 29th February 2008.)