Issue 22 | Page 64

NEWS PRIMED FOR GROWTH Anniversary for growing Redcar social enterprise This summer marks five years of The Ethical Lettings Agency, a social enterprise letting agency based in Redcar. The agency lets and manages properties for private landlords across Teesside and has a unique housing management operating model that strictly controls rent arrears and voids and delivers a value for money repairs service, combined with supporting tenants. Over the past two years the numbers of homeless people housed by the agency has grown significantly, reflecting challenging socio-economic conditions across Teesside. The agency now has a core team of four staff, and by proving its operating model in 2018, Carla Keegans successfully raised £5m of social investment via Bridges Evergreen Holdings to establish a sister company, The Ethical Housing Company. The property company is socially driven and the money raised is solely to purchase properties that are then let and managed by the agency for people in housing need. After a successful two years, the housing company is now set for growth and has recently appointed a business development manager to help grow the portfolio, a senior operations manager and a part-time finance director from a ‘big four’ background. During lockdown, Carla has been working with authorities and local voluntary and community sector organisations to help develop solutions for the many homeless people who were placed into emergency accommodation at the start of lockdown. As such, the housing company is now actively building The Ethical Lettings team at their refurbished offices in Redcar (left to right): Louise Gilbey, Carla Keegans, Hannah Kelsey, at the back left to right, Sue Hobbs and Laura Lee. a pipeline of properties to provide move-on accommodation to help people get back on their feet and prevent homelessness recurring. Looking ahead to a post-Covid world, Carla says: “The economic recession that is predicted will hit hard on Teesside because we had worse conditions pre- Covid. Landlords considering starting or expanding their portfolios should weigh their options very carefully, as the risk and costs will only increase in the coming months and years.” If you have property to let or manage please contact the agency on 01642 484845 or email [email protected]. If you have property to sell, please contact Louise Gilbey on 07555 946853, no fees are charged to sellers. North East of England Branch Thank you Cathal Doocey and the team at CPD Bodies say to all our NHS staff and frontline workers. • Evening classes available at our new North East School of Shipping based at Stockton Riverside College • Enrichment opportunities available such as trips to UK and EU Ports • World class training materials available • Excellent career opportunities available Yo u a r e a m a z i n g ! W: cpdbodies.com Contact Please email the local branch at: [email protected]