Broadland Housing Group

Homes, community & support since 1963

News 2018

Celebrating 16 new homes at Bodham, north Norfolk

Broadland celebrated the completion of 16 new homes in the north Norfolk village of Bodham in October.

This is the second phase of the Bodham development- the first phase was completed over 10 years ago.

The new scheme is a mixed tenure Exception Housing Scheme. The 16 high-quality homes include 7  affordable homes to rent and 3 which have been sold on a shared ownership basis, providing an affordable step onto the home ownership ladder.

All the affordable homes are prioritised for households with local connections through residence, family and employment to Bodham or its adjoining parishes of Baconsthorpe, Hempstead, High Kelling, Kelling, Matlaske, West Beckham, Weybourne and Upper Sheringham.

To make delivery of the affordable homes possible, Broadland developed 6 market homes as part of the scheme.  The market sales are an important step for Broadland and its subsidiary, Broadland St Benedicts. The sales proceeds from these homes are cross-subsidising new affordable homes in Bodham. This development is the result of a landmark partnership – the first of its kind in Norfolk – with North Norfolk District Council.

All the homes on the scheme, including the affordable properties, have been carefully designed to reflect the look and feel of the village and create a shared community.  Broadland believes that building a mixed tenure community can reduce the stigma around social housing and help enhance the existing vibrant community in Bodham.

Michael Newey, Group Chief Executive of BHA and Chair of Broadland St Benedicts, said:
“We are very proud to have built these much-needed homes in north Norfolk. We value the partnership we have with North Norfolk District Council. Working together has allowed us to provide a range of high-quality homes of all tenures.  This is the first time that the Group, through Broadland St Benedicts, has sold homes in the open market.  We are doing this both to generate surpluses to make our affordable homes financially viable for us, and to deliver mixed tenure communities.”

A spokesperson for North Norfolk District Council said:
“Providing affordable local homes for local people is a key priority for the Council and we are really pleased to be able to celebrate with Broadland Housing Group the completion of the first mixed tenure Exception Housing Scheme to be completed in north Norfolk.”

Cllr Sue Arnold, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing, said:
“The Bodham scheme reflects an effective partnership between the Council, Broadland Housing Group and Bodham Parish Council, as all three parties recognised the need for affordable housing to meet local housing need in Bodham.  These quality new homes will make a real difference to people’s lives and I am proud of the Council’s role in supporting this fantastic outcome.”

Speaking about the project, James Phillips, General Manager for construction company John Youngs, said:
“We are delighted to have worked in partnership with Broadland Housing to deliver quality local community housing that is not only affordable, but also modern and comfortable, matching the association’s and council’s future vision for mixed tenure housing schemes.”

New partnership with Norwich Credit Union

Saving pays! Up to £50 reward for Broadland Housing tenants from Norwich Credit Union

From 1 September, Broadland Housing tenants who join Norwich Credit Union and save regularly will get £25 added to their account. And in certain postcodes, tenants may even qualify for an extra £25 reward, making £50 in total.

Norwich Credit Union (also trading as Norfolk Save & Borrow) will pay £25 into the account of any Broadland Housing tenant aged 18+ who joins and saves regularly for 3 months (13 weeks). Tenants living in a central Norwich, Dereham, Great Yarmouth, Cromer or King’s Lynn postcode* may also be entitled to receive an extra £25 if they keep saving regularly for a further 3 months. This will be paid from the credit union’s ongoing StopLoanSharks promotion.

Jon Warne, President of Norwich Credit Union, explains:

“The aim of this special offer is to encourage Broadland tenants to get into a regular savings habit, so they have some money set aside for emergencies. For many tenants needing quick cash, the only option is an online or high street lender, or even a loan shark. Our local credit union provides a safe, low-cost alternative.”

Ivan Johnson, Broadland Housing, says:

“From Broadland’s point of view, we want to support our tenants to manage their money better, particularly with Universal Credit rolling out further across Norfolk this autumn. Rent arrears are a significant cost to housing associations. We’re also working with the credit union on other solutions to help tenants maintain their tenancy.”

Broadland Housing has hosted a credit union service point at its Dereham office every Thursday lunchtime since 2016.

Norwich Credit Union/Norfolk Save & Borrow have service points throughout Norwich and in Great Yarmouth, and also offer online services

Helping our tenants recycle

Broadland Housing is supporting older residents to recycle their batteries by providing bright new disposal bins at all 8 of its Housing with Care schemes in Norfolk.

Broadland will collect the old batteries and dispose of them safely at a local recycling centre.

Louise Archer, Executive Property Director, says: “Older people with care needs tend to be less mobile and so it’s more difficult for them to get to battery recycling points at supermarkets etc. Also, they’re more likely to use battery-powered devices, such as hearing aids, watches and TV remote controls.”

Every person in UK uses on average 10 batteries per year. Every year 22,000 tonnes of UK household batteries are sent to landfill, where they leach harmful chemicals into the soil that cause damage to the environment and wildlife.

Broadland is working with residents to raise awareness of the different kinds of batteries that can be recycled, such as:
• cell – watches, hearing aids, calculators
• alkaline – TV remote controls, radios, clocks
• lithium – some mobile phones, power tools

The new battery bins and posters will be placed in the communal areas of Broadland’s Housing with Care schemes, which house nearly 300 residents in total, at the end of August.

Broadland is planning to roll out the bins to its 6 sheltered housing schemes housing with care and 8 in the region next year, reaching nearly 600 residents.

A spokesperson for NorseCare commented: “Our tenants will make good use of these battery bins. We are always very supportive of schemes that will assist with environmental issues, so this project will make a significant difference in reducing the damage to the environment.”

Broadland’s latest waste-reduction initiative is part of its strategy to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment. In March 2018, Broadland signed a ‘zero waste to landfill’ contract with waste-management specialist Viridor. The housing association is SHIFT Gold-Award accredited.

Catherine Little joins as Executive Housing Director

We’re very pleased to welcome Catherine Little as our new Executive Housing Director. Catherine will lead our neighbourhood, income, tenancy support, estate services and tenant engagement teams. Her wealth of experience will help us drive forward these important roles for the organisation. We will continue to engage with our tenants and improve services together.

Catherine joins Broadland from Soha Housing, and replaces Ivan Johnson, who stepped down at the end of June, as part of his plans for a phased retirement. Ivan will now be working 2 days a week as Group Improvement Business Advisor.

Chris Ewbank, Chair of Broadland’s board, said:

“On behalf of the board of Broadland, I’m delighted to welcome Catherine to the team. Her in-depth knowledge and experience of governance, regulation and communications will contribute significantly to delivering our corporate strategy. We are excited to be working with her as she drives forward engagement and strategy in the housing directorate.”

Catherine Little commented:
“It’s a privilege to become part of the Broadland team. I’m committed to high quality housing services and believe we will keep achieving these by listening to, and working closely with, residents.”

Broadland Chief Executive Michael Newey said:
“I’m really pleased that Broadland has managed to attract Catherine to join the team. She brings with her considerable experience in the sector and, working in partnership with our tenants, I know that she will help us deliver better tenant focused services over the years ahead. Catherine’s real commitment to the people who live in homes provided by social landlords, as well as those who hope to live in our homes, through the ‘Benefit to Society’ campaign, highlights why I believe that Catherine will be such a great asset to the Broadland team.”

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