A very successful year

Saturday 13th October 2007

Playing an ever-increasing role in housing across Cornwall we are now in a good position to work with customers and partners to help meet housing need.

In our annual review Chair Gail Hunt and Chief Executive Andy Moore report that we manage nearly 6,000 homes with more coming into management each month as we endeavour to meet local needs. An extra 2,000 have come as a result of the partnership with the Devon & Cornwall Housing Group.

Our multi-million pound ‘Decent Homes’ programme has seen a record number of bathrooms, kitchens and heating systems replaced in our existing homes which have improved residents’ quality of life. The expenditure this year alone was £5.5 million.

"We have done this through accessing benefits, arranging care packages and requesting adaptations to properties. We have helped others organise their debts, make arrangements to pay them off in manageable amounts and get back into work. In many cases we have prevented families from becoming homeless. More than ever our services are going to be tailored to individual needs, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, age, race or religion and help as many people as possible to live full and independent lives” said Mr Moore.

The Association continues to play an active role in partnership across the county. As well as contributing to the Cornwall Housing Partnership and the Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership, we also take part in West Cornwall Together, the local strategic partnership for the Penwith and Kerrier Districts.

We were awarded the National Home Improvement Council award for the best use of a ‘brownfield site’ or ‘recycled building’ for our scheme at Hawke Close, Newquay.

Facilities for tenants with mobility difficulties continued to be a priority for us. This year has seen some notable improvements to the service. The Penwith Accessible Homes Partnership has been recognised as a potential model for integrated working in the delivery of disabled adaptations across Cornwall. Cornwall has an aging population and for this reason it was decided that where funds can be identified from efficiencies in the delivery of the ‘Decent Homes’ programme, we would install showers instead of baths where residents experience difficulties with present bathing facilities. With the support of West Cornwall Together this plan had proved very successful.

The “undoubted highlight” of the staff year was receiving the new Investors in People award. It was considered that we had made significant improvements in leadership, management and development practices during the past three years.

Posted by Kim for Penwith Housing Association