Quest Housing Association has merged with Beech Housing Association, part of the Adactus Housing Group.

The Transfer of Engagements, approved by the Housing Corporation, sees Beech managing just over 1,000 properties in 13 Local Authorities across the North West, bringing the total number of homes managed by Adactus Housing Group to over 6,500.

Quest added 365 properties to Beech Housing Association.  These properties are located in Formby, Southport, Crosby and Bootle and consist primarily of rented sheltered accommodation and call alarm flats for older people but also includes some general needs housing and leaseholders.

The Transfer of Engagements, which formally merged the two Associations took place on 1st November 2006.  Staff formerly employed by Quest were transferred to either Beech Housing Association or Adactus Housing Group.

All sheltered accommodation and call alarm flats will be managed by Adactus’ Xtracare division; which specialises in the provision of services to older people such as residential care and sheltered housing.  All other housing stock will be owned by Beech Housing Association but managed by Adactus Housing Association staff.

Following the Transfer of Engagements, work is being done to harmonise policies and procedures between the two associations.  Quest residents have a Customer Improvement Panel who have worked hard over the last 12 months looking at ways to improve their own organisation.  The Panel will meet over the coming months to discuss Beech’s policies and procedures as well as other relevant issues.

The merger brings the total number of staff employed by Adactus Housing Group to 375.  Adactus was formed in 2002 and brought together three longstanding housing associations; Beech Housing Association, County Palatine Ltd and Family Housing Association (Manchester) Ltd.  The group is expected to almost double in size over the next twelve months.

Paul Lees, Group Chief Executive at Adactus Housing Group said:  “We are pleased to welcome all staff and customers of Quest to Beech Housing Association and to the Adactus Housing Group.  This is an exciting time for the Group and our continued growth is testament to the fact that we are able to provide quality accommodation, services, support and care which meets the varied individual needs of our customers across the North West.”

To celebrate the merger, the Beech Housing Association logo has had a facelift.  The new logo brings Beech in line with the Adactus Group identity, and by keeping the Beech leaf, it maintains and builds on the key attributes of the original logo.

The merger follows the recent announcement that Chorley Borough Council is to transfer the ownership and management of council homes to Adactus Housing Group, following a vote by council tenants in August.  The homes will be managed by a new housing association Chorley Community Housing - a new autonomous subsidiary of the Adactus Housing Group – when it is formed in March 2007.  CCH plans to spend £26m to modernise the 2,900 homes, improve neighbourhoods and introduce new services in the borough.