Snap inspection says Soha is top of its league

Published by Jon Land for Soha Housing Ltd in Housing

FOR PUBLICATION 19 November 2009

Soha Housing is the first housing association in the country to achieve the ‘strengths considerably outweigh weaknesses’ rating for Resident Involvement and Value for Money under the short notice inspection regime. To date, every housing association on a short notice inspection has had Value for Money assessed. Soha Housing is the first one to achieve top marks.

The Audit Commission report published today states that Soha’s residents have many effective ways and opportunities to be involved, and clearly influence how services are delivered, developed and improved.

Richard Peacock, Chief Executive of Soha, said, “We’ve worked extremely hard over the last couple of years to develop the services that residents want. Resident Involvement makes a difference at both a strategic and operational level. It’s also been recognised that we have a clear strategic approach to assessing value for money, which is understood through the organisation. The report says that ‘this is based on achieving high quality outcomes for performance and satisfaction.’”

Julie Watts, Audit Commission Lead Housing Inspector for the South East said, “Soha has a strong focus on customer care and involves residents really well in the way that services are delivered and improved.”

Linda Caistor of Didcot says, “I have been a Soha tenant for 11 years and have noticed a real improvement to my home and community. Soha has listened to me and tries their best to give me what I want.”

Notes to editor

(1) Jpg accompanies.

(2) Soha Housing manages 5,200 properties across South Oxon and beyond providing homes for around 12,000 people.

(3) Soha has for some years had its own Tenant Inspectors. These are residents who inspect a different area of the organisation of their choice at least once a year and report back to senior Management. The lead Audit Commission Inspector discussed the Commission’s methods with nine of Soha's Tenant inspectors, the first time that this has been done.

(4) Soha has around 15 other ways of involving its residents, apart from Tenant Inspectors. They include having them ‘mystery shop’ various aspects of the organisation. Many of the items from the ‘menu of involvement’ see residents receive training and/or support to help them make their mark on the company as well as make new friends and get new or consolidate existing skills.

(5) A copy of the Audit Commission report is available from Liz Roberts in Soha Housing’s Resident Involvement and Marketing Department on 01235 515 900.