Flagship development opened in Cannock

A flagship £3.9 million development of affordable apartments was officially opened in Cannock this week.

Cllr Ray Easton, chair of Cannock Chase District Council, and Dr Mary Griffiths, chair of South Staffordshire Housing Association, performed the honours at Riverside Court, in Girton Road.

Peter Rogers, Housing Corporation board member, and Peter Jones, head of investment with the Housing Corporation, were among the guests of honour at the special ceremony.

The 29 high-quality apartments are being offered by South Staffordshire Housing Association for shared ownership, including the penthouse, with preference given to people with strong local links, putting the homes within reach of people looking for their first step on the housing ladder.

The average priced two-bedroom apartment at Riverside Court is affordable to those on a single income of around £21,000 or with a joint income of around £26,000. Buyers purchase a portion of a property, paying rent on the outstanding amount, which they can then buy at a later date.

Some of the units will be within reach of individuals on lower incomes than this.

“By offering these high-quality, apartments for shared ownership, we are putting them in reach of many first-time buyers in Cannock who might not otherwise have a chance of getting onto the property ladder,” said Debbie Elliott, chief executive of South Staffordshire Housing Association, which is this year celebrating its 10th anniversary.

“The high-specification and design features of these apartments give them an aspirational feel and interest in them has been strong from the start. The penthouse is included in the shared ownership scheme so people have the chance to live in a highly aspirational home at an affordable price.

“We will continue to look for opportunities in Staffordshire to develop affordable homes for local people to give them a hand into their own home and help ensure people are not forced to move elsewhere to be able to afford to live independently.”

The development was the result of partnership working between South Staffordshire Housing Association, Cannock Chase District Council – who supported the bid for resources to support the project – and developer Jessup Brothers.

The scheme is costing a total of £3.9 million, with £980,000 funded by the Housing Corporation.

The Housing Corporation is the Government agency that funds new affordable homes and regulates housing associations in England.

Of the 29 apartments, 28 are two-bedroom with a single one-bedroom unit. The properties feature en-suites, top-of-the-range kitchens, Porcelanosa tiling, chrome over-bath showers, door entry system, secure off-road parking and a spacious, decked sitting area. A local technology school has agreed to design and produce artwork which will be displayed on the communal stairways and corridors.

For more information on Riverside Court, contact Cannock sales agent Jaymans on 01543 505566 or visit our Riverside Court page.

(Released 5th June 2007.)

Landlord Wins Health and Safety Award

A leading Staffordshire landlord has been handed a top award for its work ensuring both staff and tenants are kept safe.

South Staffordshire Housing Association was presented with a gold award at the prestigious Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Occupational Health & Safety Awards 2007 for the third year running.

It is one of only a few housing associations in the country to receive the accolade for a third 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.

David Rawlins, RoSPA awards manager, said: “South Staffordshire Housing Association has demonstrated how seriously it takes health and safety management and is a fine example to many other companies.

“We would like to see more organisations following its lead.”

Philip Ingle, Director of Resources with South Staffordshire Housing Association, based near Stafford, said: “To receive recognition in the area of health and safety from an organisation like RoSPA is a testament to how seriously we take this issue.

“We do everything possible to ensure our staff are looked after in the workplace with the knock-on effect that our tenants are also kept safe when being visited by employees.

“It is an area we will continue to work hard on to build on our already high standards.”

The awards ran alongside the Safety and Health Expo 2007, the UK’s premier health and safety at work exhibition, in Birmingham.

(Released 8th June 2007.)

Award Recognises Excellence in Services for Older Residents

Residents at retirement housing schemes run by South Staffordshire Housing association are receiving a first class service, according to an industry watchdog.

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

Sue Rowley, director of operations said: “We are delighted to receive this endorsement of our quality service levels. We always strive to provide an excellent service to our customers and are pleased that this has been recognised by such a prominent organisation.”

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.

Visit our Retirement Housing section.

(Released 13th June 2007.)

Golfers Pitch in to Raise Funds

Two local charities have scored a hole-in-one thanks to the fund-raising work of a local affordable housing provider.

South Staffordshire Housing Association organised and hosted a charity golf day at Patshull Park Golf Club, near Wolverhampton, to mark its 10th anniversary year.

And the 20 teams of golfers from local organisations who took part on the day helped collect nearly £6,000 to boost the coffers of the County Air Ambulance Trust and Macmillan Nurses.

A range of partners of the association took part on the day, including Wolseley UK, Barclays, Nationwide, Chamois and CHN, with all holes sponsored by an organisation.

Debbie Elliott, chief executive of South Staffordshire Housing Association, based in Acton Gate, near Stafford, said: “We are so grateful for all the support we have received from staff, partner organisations and local businesses. This was a great event that raised thousands of pounds for two local charities including the association’s charity of the year, Macmillan Nurses.

“It was particularly pleasing that the event was such a success as it formed part of our ongoing 10th anniversary celebrations.

”As a leading affordable housing provider in the region, it is good that, together with our partners, we can support local charities that benefit the communities where we work.”

Visit our Charity of the Year page.

(Released 19th June 2007.)