Partnership Plans for Improved Services

BETTER services for residents could be on the menu under joint proposals by two Teesside housing associations.

Erimus Housing and Tees Valley Housing Group, both based in Middlesbrough, have put forward plans to form a group structure to boost services for residents and expand their businesses.

Under the proposals, Erimus Housing and Tees Valley Housing Group would still be separate organisations with their own housing stock but would be overseen by a new parent company.

A group structure would mean the organisations could bring together their expertise and share resources and costs, leading to improved services for their tenants.

The move would not affect Erimus Housing’s current £105m improvement programme to bring all its homes up to modern day living standards by 2010.

The Boards of both organisations have already agreed to enter into further detailed discussions about forming the structure, along with its parent company.

Bernard Williams, Chief Executive of Erimus Housing, said: “Erimus Housing is now in its third year and we have fulfilled the majority of our promises to tenants.

“We are now looking at growth and diversification and the Board agrees that the formation of a group structure is the best platform for growth.

“Services to residents are our priority and we have looked into the benefits for them in great detail. A group structure would also mean we could more effectively meet housing need through an expanded new build and regeneration programme.”

Erimus Housing currently owns around 11,000 homes and Tees Valley Housing Group owns approximately 4,000 properties.

Detailed discussions are now taking place and a joint board steering group has been set up to look into the proposals.

Alison Thain, Chief Executive of Tees Valley Housing Group, said: “Both Tees Valley Housing Group and Erimus Housing are committed to ensuring there will be no compulsory redundancies coming out of this partnership. This is a win-win partnership for both organisations, as well as our residents.”

Pictured are Barry Keane, Chair of Tees Valley Housing and Bob Brady, Chair of Erimus Housing.