BDC Magazine - Online version December 2015 Issue - 216 | Page 53

First Wessex.qxp_feature 2 20/10/2015 09:48 Page 51

HOUSING: FIRST WESSEX

the capacity to operate in the same way as a high street estate
agent – offering short-term rentals at market rate. Across the
board, a standard of quality is maintained and it down to the duecare the organisation exerts when acquiring, renovating or developing homes that, this year, it achieved a customer satisfaction
rate of 84% with respect to quality.
Regeneration projects form a substantial part of the association's investment plans and, as part of its scheme of new developments, 596 new homes have been built across the area, with a
view to enhancing the organisation's lettings portfolio and, furthermore, replenishing its housing stock to continue its participation in the Right To Buy Scheme. In fact, the housing association
are committed to regeneration, not just in terms of housing
drives, but also in the interest of the wider local community. As
such, it has driven significant funding into the accommodation of
Hampshire and Surrey's older generation – including the provision of extra care schemes which, as well as catering with the

1,703 of First Wessex's properties
are currently let under the
government's “Affordable Rents”
scheme, the income of which helps
fund the building of new homes.
unique requirements of the elderly (including mobility assistance
and more specialised care) gives tenants the opportunity of ownership within the scheme
It is local residents to whom First Wessex gears investment and its
participation in new developments, priding itself on an ethic of visibility and communication. The local community are consulted prior
to the advancement of new projects and so it comes as no surprise
that the needs of locals are recurrently being met, and surpassed.
During the hard work First Wessex has undertaken to enhance
coherence amongst the community and improve the day-to-day of
its clients, the organisation has not forgone industry acclaim. In
recognition of its promise to invest in sustainable practice, the
organisation was recently awarded a five years Longevity Award
last month by The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS), a
trade association which encourages best practice in terms of promoting ethics of sustainability.
Offering the best housing, at the best rate, and making use of
the best practice in construction, First Wessex is a housing association which is unprepared to adhere to the usual characteristics
applied to social housing. With its direct approach to property
management, customers are afforded not just the necessity of
house, but the luxury of home.

www.firstwessex.org

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