Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Double celebration for Hyndburn Homes

by Ethos public relations

Hyndburn Home staff enjoyed a double celebration recently as they marked their 5th anniversary and became part of a new housing company – Symphony Housing Group.

“In 2006 Hyndburn Council transferred its housing stock to a new company called Hyndburn Homes,” said General Manager Nigel Fenton. “In looking back on our achievements over the last five years we have been staggered at just how far we have come.”

A major part of the transfer deal was the promise to spend £35 million to upgrade former council homes. The company has actually invested close to £40 million which includes 1794 new kitchens, 1476 new central heating systems and 1668 new bathrooms.

In 2008 the company developed 22 new properties on Charter Street in Accrington. These new homes provided much needed family accommodation and were warmly welcomed.

The company has also developed extra care schemes at Plantation Square, Moorhouse Avenue and Fairfield Street.

This year the main redevelopment focus is on the Within Grove area where working with Group colleagues 30 homes will be demolished, new homes built and remaining homes refurbished in a £5 million investment.

Hyndburn Homes Repairs, a successful direct labour subsidiary of Hyndburn Homes has been equally successful. “Hyndburn Homes Repairs has developed a growth strategy to increase its turnover by 50% over the next four years as well as providing an efficient repairs service to our residents,” said Nigel.

“Internally we have moved to new accessible, customer friendly offices, introduced a new call centre, improved performance reporting, introduced an ACE team to keep our estates clean and tidy and developed an anti social team.

“Whilst our primary aim is the provision of housing we also support local communities where we can and are proud of the close working relationships we have developed with numerous partners in the area.”

Most recently the company has been placing increased emphasis on customer involvement and engagement and has now developed a structure that encourages and allows residents to get involved in improving services at every level.

Finally, Hyndburn Homes has now become part of Symphony Housing Group after the merger of its parent company Contour Housing Group with Vicinity Housing Group. This new company will comprise subsidiaries including Hyndburn Homes and with 40,000 properties under its ownership and management across 30 local authority areas, will be one of the biggest housing and regeneration organisations in the North West.

“We now have the resources of a much bigger parent group behind us but will continue to retain our own local identity,” said Nigel. “I look forward to continuing to work with our committed Board and staff and of course our enthusiastic residents in the future.”

To read other news from Hyndburn Homes click here.

Posted at 5^th April 2011