Family Housing Association transfers homes to York Housing Association

One of York’s smallest housing associations has completed a transfer of its housing stock to York Housing Association through a Transfer of Engagements.  This will provide continuity of local management for its tenants in the city.

The move will see the closure of Family Housing Association (FHA), which owned 57 properties in and around York, following discussions with York Housing Association (YHA) on the best way to strengthen the position of social housing in the city.  Chair of FHA, Christine Little, made the first approach last December.

“When we looked at the housing sector and Family Housing Association’s position within the city, we realised that we either needed to start a significant programme of growth, or look to merge with a larger organisation,” explains Christine.  “As another locally-based provided with a bank of nearly 1000 properties, merging with YHA gives our tenants security and access to a wider range of local services, whilst retaining the level of personal contact that has been a feature of our service since 1969.  Closing FHA was a hard decision to make, but our committee and staff are confident that this is the right choice, and have worked extremely well to make the transition happen smoothly.”

For YHA, the addition of a further 57 homes to its property portfolio further strengthens its position during a turbulent time for the housing sector.  “There is a national review of social housing at the moment, with the government exploring its plans for a right-to-buy which covers housing association stock, and a forthcoming reduction in rents for social housing which will have an impact on all providers,” comments YHA’s chief executive, Julia Histon.  “We are well resourced to be able to extend our high levels of service to the tenants who join us from FHA, and are happy to welcome them into the extended York Housing Association family.”

YHA owns 915 properties and manages a further 195 for other landlords covering an area from Whitby to Rothwell and over to Beverley, with a particular concentration of properties in and around York.

For more details, please visit www.yorkha.org.uk or call 01904 636061.

ENDS

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

Pyper York Limited

Tel:         01904 500698

Email:    jay@pyperyork.co.uk