Progress Housing Group shortlisted for two national housing awards

Published by lpriest for Progress Housing Group in Housing and also in Communities

Lancashire-based Progress Housing Group has been shortlisted in two categories for the UK Housing Awards 2013.

The awards, now in their 17^th year, recognise outstanding work by housing organisations to improve the lives of people in their communities, and are organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and Inside Housing magazine.

Two members of Progress Housing Group have been selected from more than 300 entries to make the prestigious awards shortlist. New Progress Housing Association’s witness support service has been shortlisted in the Innovation of the Year category and the Group’s supported housing arm, Progress Care Housing Association, is a finalist in the Specialist Landlord of the Year category.

New Progress Housing Association’s personalised witness support service, which is thought to be one of the first of its kind in the country, is offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is tailored to the individual needs of each witness to provide them with the required level of support. It aims to encourage more people to report incidents of anti-social behaviour and to give them greater confidence to speak out against perpetrators.

Progress Care Housing Association is one of theUK’s leading supported housing providers, providing high quality housing solutions for individuals with a range of supported needs. The Specialist Landlord of the Year award ‘recognises the specialist provider which has exceeded expectations in delivering an outstanding service’. In July 2012, Progress Care Housing announced the findings of a major research project about independent living.  The findings of the ‘Include Me In’ project, which took place over a three year period, will help to improve the quality of supported housing services across the country.

Jacqui De-Rose, Chief Executive of Progress Housing Group, said: “We are delighted to be in the running for two awards which recognise the role Progress Housing Group plays in helping to improve the lives of residents living in our communities.

“To be acknowledged for excellence and innovation by industry professionals, as well as our customers, is an incredible achievement.”

The winner of the UK Housing Awards will be revealed at a ceremony at the Lancaster London Hotel on 16 April, hosted by Great British Bake Off presenter Sue Perkins.

CIH chief executive Grainia Long said: “The UK Housing Awards are about celebrating the dedication and commitment of the organisation and professionals across the industry.They not only recognise success, they also give housing providers the opportunity to learn from each other’s excellent work and innovation. I’d like to congratulate all the organisation’s that have been shortlisted. Their work can inspire us all.”

Stuart Macdonald. Editor of Inside Housing, said: “The quality of the entries rose again this year so even to get this far is an amazing achievement. In the face of some really stiff competition, Progress Housing Group has shown it is performing at the highest level- well done!”