Landlords in 600-home South East stock swap

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Communities, Local Government

Two housing associations have swapped nearly 600 homes in the South East in a bid to consolidate in areas where they already have a significant presence.

Under the swap, Hyde Group, which manages 45,000 homes, will take on the ownership and management of 338 homes in the Arun and Adur area, while 28,000-home AmicusHorizon will take over 257 homes in the Hastings, Rother and Eastbourne region.

A three-month consultation began in November 2011 with the landlords revealing that there was overwhelming support from both sets of residents for the swap.

The swap, say the landlords, provides both organisations with an opportunity to consolidate in areas where they already have a significant presence, as a result improving the local service delivered to residents and increasing efficiencies.

Carol Carter, group director of housing at Hyde, said: “This is a logical move for Hyde and AmicusHorizon, allowing us to provide residents with a more localised and accessible service.  By increasing the number of homes we own and manage in areas where we are already based, we hope to realise efficiencies which can be reinvested in services and homes for our residents.”

A spokesperson at AmicusHorizon said: “This stock swap shows how two housing associations can work together for the practical benefit of their residents on a big scale. Both organisations welcome their new residents.”