Cube and GHA form new partnership
Published by Glasgow Housing Association on Sat 09 Jun 12 @ 22:16
Cube Housing Association and GHA have joined forces to form a new partnership to deliver more and better services to tenants.
Cube has retained its name and identity and continues to have responsibility for its homes and operations - including how best to meet the needs of its customers and staff. GHA is the parent organisation, sharing costs and services and offering support.
Cube and GHA are already sharing services, costs and expertise, and believe they can deliver more improvements to homes and neighbourhoods - much faster than Cube could on their own.
Cube, which has more than 3,300 rented homes and 1,200 factored homeowners, and GHA, which has around 45,000 tenanted homes and 24,000 factored homeowners, believe the partnership will help provide:
- better value for money through developing joint services and more cost-effective procurement;
- more investment for more homes and neighbourhoods;
- better services for more tenants;
- increased financial strength for both organisations;
- a reduction in overall management costs; and
- new career-development opportunities for staff.
Some of the first shared services Cube tenants can access include GHA's handyperson service, Silver Deal classes and fuel and benefits advice. Cube customers also have access to an out-of-hours service delivered by GHA's Customer Service Centre.
Cube Chairman Gordon Scott said: "We strongly believe we can deliver more for our tenants by sharing our expertise and our commitment to service excellence.
"Together, we can have a much stronger effect in our communities and, as a result of the savings we will make by working together, Cube will be able to invest at least £10million more in homes.
"This will enable us, for example, to bring homes in all of Cube's areas up to a modern standard by 2015 - two years earlier than planned.
"It also means our customers have access to improved services, such as the group's 24-hour customer care centre every day of the year."
GHA Chair Gordon Sloan said: "We believe the partnership has real benefits for our communities and customers, particularly in these difficult economic times.
"By working together we can deliver better value for money and better and more efficient services. The savings we make by working together will be used to make further improvements to services for GHA customers as well as for Cube's."
The partnership was approved by both Cube and GHA's Boards who carefully considered feedback received during the consultation with customers and stakeholders.
Cube's shareholding members also voted in favour of the partnership at a special meeting. The Scottish Housing Regulator also approved the partnership.
Cube has 3,300 rented homes in west central Scotland. Homes in Glasgow include Wyndford in Maryhill, Ruchazie, Broomhill and Gorget in Knightswood.
