September 3 2007
Green lights for bpha

Leading affordable housing provider bpha has been awarded top marks in its latest health check.

bpha, which manages nearly 13,000 homes throughout central, southern and eastern England, has been given four green lights by the Housing Corporation to show that it is financially sound, making good use of funding to develop new affordable homes and is well managed and well governed.

John Cross, chief executive of bpha, said: “We are delighted with this latest assessment by the Housing Corporation which shows that we are achieving high standards and acting in the best interests of our residents.

“The assessment highlights our work to provide new affordable homes in the region, alongside our continued commitment to improving and maintaining existing homes to a decent standard.

“It also reflects the wide variety of ways in which we, as an organisation, involve our residents in the decisions affecting their homes and communities. This means that actions and improvements continue to be taken in line with their needs and aspirations.”

In terms of development, the report recognises that bpha provided more new homes than expected during 2006/07 and is set to provide a further 577 affordable homes during 2007/08, through its Key Communities partnership.

The report notes that the association “has the financial capacity to deliver the higher levels of development…to contribute to the government’s social housing agenda”.

When it comes to governance, the Housing Corporation highlights the strength of bpha’s board of management, and its close links with a Customer Service Committee which includes seven resident members.

Residents are further able to get involved and influence the work of the association through initiatives such as estate inspections and mystery shopping, by helping to monitor repairs performance or by joining community groups, the report notes.

The Housing Corporation also found bpha to be ‘properly managed’ with good links with local organisations.

The report says: “The association has an experienced senior management team which works in an open and co-operative manner with the Housing Corporation.

“bpha has close liaison with local authorities and other appropriate agencies within its areas of operation. As well as working in partnership with local authorities, other housing associations and developers, bpha has forged strong links in all areas of its work.”

The report highlights the setting up of the Goldington Youth Partnership to help co-ordinate activities and services for young people in Elms Farm, as a particular strength of this type of work.

Margaret Allen, director for the Housing Corporation, said: “We are very pleased to announce that bpha has gained all four green lights in its latest Housing Corporation assessment.

“This demonstrates that they have successfully met or exceeded the standards set across all four key performance areas needed to ensure the quality of the services they offer to the people of Bedfordshire.”

A full copy of the report is available from www.housingcorp.gov.uk