Southern Housing Group's Annual Review shows success

Published by Miriam Laverick for Southern Housing Group in Housing and also in Communities

Southern Housing Group has released its Annual Review. The report, which covers the financial year 2008-09 for all areas of the organisation, revealed a range of achievements. Highlights include:

4,000 home development programme
Despite the difficult economic climate, Southern Housing Group met all the development targets set by the former Housing Corporation. The Group’s £720m development programme lays out plans for just over 4,000 homes, with 969 new homes completed within 2008-09.

Short Notice Inspection
In January, Southern Housing Group was selected as one of the first associations in the formal Short Notice Inspection programme undertaken by the Audit Commission. Resident involvement, access and customer care were particular highlights of the review, with inspectors finding that ‘strengths outweigh weaknesses’ in these areas. Strengths and weaknesses were judged as being in balance in the areas of repairs reporting, income collection, diversity and value for money. The Group’s overall prospects for improvement were rated ‘promising’.

Celebrating a decade of community regeneration
This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Foundation, the Group’s community regeneration arm. In March this year, the Foundation held an awards ceremony to recognise the achievements of residents and staff who have made a difference in their community over the last ten years.

New Corporate Plan to unlock the potential of people and places.
The Group’s new Corporate Plan has been developed in partnership with staff and residents. The publication sets the Group’s strategic objectives for 2009-2012 and introduces its new mission statement, Unlocking the Potential of People and Places. The Plan ensures that all areas of the Group are working towards the same measurable goals for the next three years, and emphasises the Group’s values.

Chief Executive, Tom Dacey, said:

“The economic crisis dealt significant challenges to the housing sector between 2008-09. Southern Housing Group has worked, and continues to work, with the HCA and TSA to weather the financial climate and safeguard the future of affordable housing. As one of the largest housing associations in southern England, we are involved in significant regeneration projects, including the Athlete’s Village and £1billion Kidbrooke regeneration scheme in Greenwich. We have achieved a number of successes over the past twelve months, and look forward to the year ahead.”

To read Southern Housing Group’s Annual Review 2008–09: Keeping you in the picture or for further information about the Group go to www.shgroup.org.uk