Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing Ltd represented at national event
Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing Ltd were represented at the National Federation of ALMOs (NFA) Annual Conference and AGM 2013 this month (9-10 July).
Managing Director Sue Adams and Neighbourhoods Manager Chris Shepherd from Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing Ltd were invited talk about the new housing company which became one of England’s newest ALMO (arms-length management organisation) earlier this year.
Managing Director Sue Adams, spoke about the transition to an ALMO and the redesign of its services to meet the needs of residents and deliver better value for money. Sue also discussed why the local authority decided to go down the ALMO route and the advantages of having an ALMO. Ms Adams commented.
“I felt very honoured to have been asked to speak at the NFA Conference and AGM. This was a great opportunity to meet fellow ALMO’s to share good practice, discuss the challenges that lie ahead and learn about how ALMO’s have met the current challenges.”
Neighbourhoods Manager, Chris Shepherd talked through the experience, challenges and lessons learned from the Department of Working Pensions (DWP) Direct Payments Project in which housing benefit is paid directly to tenants instead of landlords. The project has been testing the impact of direct payments on tenants and housing providers before the scheme is rolled out as part of the government’s Universal Credit system. Chris added;
“It offered a great opportunity for us to share our experiences with other landlords to help them prepare for the changes being brought about through Universal Credit, as well as being able to talk about different approaches that other landlords are using to support tenants through this transition.”
The NFA Annual Conference and AGM was an opportunity for ALMO residents, board members and officers to come together and reinforce the sector’s positive and unified message that ALMOs are well placed to bring excellence in service delivery, to bring innovation and to improve residents’ lives through helping out-of-work tenants improve their skills, running support schemes for vulnerable families and through enhancing neighbourhoods.
For more information about Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing Ltd visit www.starhousing.org.uk.
Notes to Editor
An ALMO is a not-for-profit company that provides housing services on behalf of a local authority.
Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing Ltd took responsibility for the management of all 4,200 Shropshire Council owned homes in the Oswestry and Bridgnorth areas in April 2013. The organisation manages homes and neighbourhoods; collects rent, orders repairs and makes improvements to all housing.
