CIH unveils shortlist for UK Housing Awards

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing

More than 60 housing organisations have reached the final stages of the UK Housing Awards for their outstanding work improving the lives of people in their communities.

The awards, now in their 17th year and organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), attracted more than 300 entries.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the London Lancaster Hotel on Tuesday 16 April, hosted by Great British Bake Off presenter Sue Perkins (pictured).

Prizes will be presented in 12 categories plus the lifetime achievement award, which will recognise an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the housing industry and/or to the communities in which they work.

CIH chief executive Grainia Long said: “The UK Housing Awards are about celebrating the dedication and commitment of organisations and professionals across the industry.

"They not only recognise success, they also give housing providers the opportunity to learn from each others’ excellent work and innovation. For CIH, they help us to fulfil our role in maintaining, improving and promoting standards in an increasingly challenging environment.

“The quality of the entries we’ve received this year is evident from the fantastic standard of the finalists, and I’d like to congratulate all the organisations that have been shortlisted. Their work can inspire us all.”

This year’s awards are sponsored by H + H, Higgins, Kier, Pinnacle PSG, United House and Spirotech.

The finalists for the UK Housing Awards 2013 are:

Business transformation of the year
• A2Dominion – Lean - Achieving change together
• The Hyde Group - One Hyde one vision
• Raglan Housing Association - A story of change...
• Rochdale Boroughwide Housing - New Rochdale pioneers
• Sadeh Lok Housing Group - From survival to revival
• Yarlington Housing Group - Our never ending journey

Campaign of the year
• Colchester Borough Homes - Join in and make a difference
• Halton Housing Trust - Communicating welfare reform to customers
• Mears and Richmond Housing Partnership - Online safety awareness
• Mosscare Housing - Say no to hate crime
• Paragon Community Housing Group - Wise money
• Wolverhampton Homes - Stop hate in Wolverhampton

Community-led initiative of the year
• Curo Group - On the road sustainability roadshows
• Derby Homes - Osmaston Community Association of Residents (OSCAR) forge ahead
• The Hyde Group - Youth bank
• Poplar Harca - Poplar and Bow Green network
• Tai Calon Community Housing - The design factor
• Whitefriars Housing - Striking it clucky

Development of the year (large schemes)
• Genesis Housing Association - Stratford Halo
• Grand Union Housing Group - Flowers House
• Guinness Hermitage - Helliers Lane
• Midland Heart - Oasis House
• South London YMCA - Alexandra House
• Your Housing Group - Brookside Retirement Living

Development of the year (small schemes)
• East Thames Group - Tolpuddle House
• Four Housing Group - Sinclair Meadows
• Knightstone Housing Association - West Street self build scheme
• Origin Housing - Boxtree Lane
• Radian - Stoneham Green
• WDH - HomeBuilder development

Innovation of the year
• Derwentside Homes - Prince Bishops Homes
• Islington Council - Bright sparks void clearance and reuse project
• Midland Heart - Tyze
• New Progress Housing Association - Witness support long after the night is all over
• whg - Bedroom tax benefits calculator
• Wrekin Housing Trust - Rapid response same day service for repairs

Large social landlord of the year
• L&Q – Creating places where people want to live
• One Vision Housing - Project Pendle
• Orbit Group - Leading the way in a changing world
• Places for People - Providing aspirational homes and inspirational places
• Stockport Homes - Transforming lives
• WDH - Improving lives by tackling health inequality

Small social landlord of the year
• Derventio Housing Trust – Taking action to end homelessness
• Easthall Park Housing Co-operative - Making a difference to our community
• East Lothian Housing Association - The online housing association
• First Choice Housing Association - More than just bricks and mortar
• Rhondda Housing Association - Working together for a brighter future
• Taff Housing Association - The Taff Deal

Specialist landlord of the year
• Bield Housing and Care - Carntyne Gardens Care Home
• First Choice Housing Association - Independent living for adults with a learning disability
• Progress Housing Group - Include me in
• Riverside ECHG - SPACES
• St Basils - Homelessness should not be part of growing up
• Southdown Housing Association - The Q-Kit and the Q-Team

Strategic local authority of the year
• Caerphilly County Borough Council - Caerphilly's mortgage rescue initiative
• Ealing Council - Securing jobs and homes
• Hackney Council - Delivering balanced and sustainable communities
• Hull City Council - The Hull housing and neighbourhood renewal strategy
• Stockton on Tees Borough Council - Together we deliver

Sustainable landlord of the year
• City West Housing Trust - Green agenda
• Nottingham City Homes - Creating secure, warm, modern homes
• RCT Homes - Serious about making a sustainable difference
• Stockport Homes - Investing in natural energy
• whg - Altogether better
• Wrexham County Borough Council - Solar photovoltaic installation project

Landlord of the year
• To be chosen from the winners of specialist landlord of the year, small social landlord of the year and large social landlord of the year