South Somerset Homes is a leading light amongst south-west housing associations

24 May 2007

Yeovil-based South Somerset Homes is pleased with the results of its regulator’s annual Housing Corporation Assessment which awarded the company ‘Green lights’ for all of the four performance measures considered.

The assessment incorporates a ‘traffic light’ system – green is the top rating – and considered four areas:

1. Financial viability, e.g. financial stability/performance
2. Properly governed, e.g. strategic plans for the future, managing diversity and risk management
3. Management, e.g. opportunities for resident involvement, repairs to properties.
4. Development, e.g. creation of new homes

The Housing Corporation’s report states “The association’s performance is generally in the top quartile for associations in the south west and most performance indicators are continuing to improve year on year. SSH’s rent arrears remain low, below 3%. It is a top performer in respect of response repairs with emergency, urgent and routine repairs remaining in the top quartile for 2006. Tenant satisfaction is also good”.

Geoff Atkinson, South Somerset Homes’ Chief Executive is delighted with the report and commented, “South Somerset Homes’ success is based on effective teamwork and dedicated staff. The report demonstrates that we are one of the top performing housing associations in the south-west, which provides a sound basis for our future growth”.

South Somerset Homes owns 8,500 homes – including older persons’ schemes and family homes for rent; plus shared ownership whereby residents own a share of the property and rent the remainder.

The full report is available to download from www.housingcorp.gov.uk

Notes  

• The Housing Corporation is a government agency that regulates housing associations in the UK; and provides financial assistant for social housing.

• The Housing Corporation uses a ‘traffic light’ system whereby green is the top rating that can be achieved. An amber light indicates some material concerns about performance and a red symbol suggests serious concerns about performance.

• Every housing association with more than 250 homes is continuously assessed on its performance under our Regulatory Code, which judges viability, governance and management, and on how well it has used any Corporation funds it has been allocated.