Manchester & District Housing Association, a member of Harvest Housing Group, provides a ‘good’ service for residents, with ‘excellent’ prospects for improvement, according to results just released by independent Government watchdog, the Audit Commission.
On a scale from one to three stars the Audit Commission inspection team gave the housing association a two-star ‘good’ rating. It was found to provide high levels of customer care and engage well with local communities and it was recognised that their homes are being brought up to a high standard.
Ian Perry, Chief Executive of Harvest Housing Group said:
“It is excellent to learn that the Audit Commission found that Manchester & District Housing Association delivers good quality housing management services and is maintaining customers’ homes well. The board, managers and staff were also recognised as demonstrating a strong commitment to customer service and driving improvements”.
Within the report, strengths included:
•A well-embedded approach to customer service and staff that is user-focused
•High quality ready-to-let properties
•Robust procedures and strong performance on gas servicing
•An adaptations service that has been designed around service users and is accessible
•Strong performance on the prevention and management of both current and former tenant arrears
•Effective responses to anti-social behaviour
•A value for money ethos
The report also highlighted some areas that should be addressed by Manchester & District Housing Association in order for them to build on the success achieved so far, including:
• Strengthening the approach to customer satisfaction
• Developing and sharing plans for re-investment with customers
• Improving the approach to managing the performance of repairs and
Maintenance Services
• Involving customers in performance monitoring and management
Manchester & District Housing Association is committed to implementing all of the improvements and suggestions recommended within the Audit Commission report and plans to address these recommendations are already underway.
Kate Forrester, Director of Manchester & District Housing Association, said:
“This inspection result is very positive and a great outcome for M&D and Harvest. We strive to be a progressive and committed housing organisation, working in partnership with residents and partners to turn homes and neighbourhoods into places where people want to live and chose to stay.”
Manchester & District Housing Association works with Local Authorities and residents to deliver a diverse range of neighbourhood services, affordable housing solutions and Private Finance Initiatives in Manchester, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
The Housing Association is a key partner in Avantage, the consortium chosen by Cheshire County Council to design, build and operate five Extra Care Housing developments across the county. They are also part of the Grove Village consortium, delivering an award winning £100 million housing PFI scheme for Manchester City Council.
Copies of the report are available from Manchester & District Housing Association or on the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports.