22 March 2010
Two Castles residents are its greatest asset
Two Castles Housing Association has developed a new strategic Asset Management plan with a big helping hand from its residents.
As part of the Association’s ongoing plans to improve its already high quality, existing services to residents, it has developed a new approach to ensure its housing stock continues to meet the evolving needs of people living in its homes. Two Castles Housing Association has over 10,000 residents in 3,400 properties across the North.
Rob Brittain, property services director at Two Castles Housing Association, said: “The current minimum standard for social housing is the Government’s Decent Homes Standard and our properties have consistently met this set criteria. The Asset Management Strategy outlines the Association’s commitment to now develop a Decent Homes Plus Standard known as the Two Castles’ Standard, which is being progressed in consultation with the Residents’ Panel, Board Members and staff.”
The Government’s Decent Homes programme is an initiative which sets standards for social housing providers to reach by the end of 2010. Properties must have reasonably modern facilities, be warm and weatherproof to help improve people’s quality of life in their homes. The programme aims to get all council and housing association dwellings to a decent standard.
Rob added: “Developing our Asset Management Strategy has been an extremely interesting exercise to undertake as we’ve worked very closely with residents’ to ensure they fully contribute throughout the whole process. We have also set up an Asset Management Working Group to provide regular feedback.
“Effective planned maintenance of our properties is the best way of maintaining service delivery and cost efficiency. This exercise has helped us undertake a fundamental review of this provision and develop a new and active approach.
“The Asset Management Strategy aims to ensure all residents benefit from the highest quality properties and customer services. It will also ensure that the Association is well placed to meet the new national standards set by the Tenants’ Services Authority (TSA).”
Two Castles resident, Ann Carr, said: “Working with the Asset Management Group has been an excellent learning process. From the residents’ point of view, it has been fantastic to get our opinion across within sessions that are both informative and pleasurable.”
