Important update Merger complete

Why has Southway merged with Wythenshawe Community Housing Group? 

Both organisations were strong and financially stable. However, rising living costs, higher operating and material costs, growing housing waiting lists and new regulation continued to affect how we supported residents and communities. 

The merger created one organisation serving more than 47,000 residents and 21,000 homes across Greater Manchester. 

Becoming a larger organisation will make us financially stronger and more resilient, helping us meet residents’ needs and aspirations and provide greater value for money.

Our offices remain in their current locations in Didsbury and Wythenshawe, with accessible receptions for residents to visit. 

Our community centres remain open and there are no plans to close local offices because of the merger. 

No. We will continue to provide different ways to access services, including by phone, face to face at our offices and through home visits where needed. 

Online services will remain available for residents who prefer to use them.

Yes. Your disability support services have continued following the merger. 

We remain committed to providing a personalised service that takes account of your individual needs and making sure we have colleagues available to deliver that support.

No. Your rent and service charges have not increased because of the merger. 

Rents will continue to be reviewed annually in line with Government rules and the required notice periods. 

Service charges reflect the cost of providing services. They may increase or decrease in future in line with those costs, your tenancy or lease and the relevant service charge policy. 

Having homes in different or more affluent areas will not, in itself, cause your rent or service charges to increase. 

No. Both organisations already have strong long-term financial plans and neither relies on extra funding from the other. 

By coming together, we expect to have more money available to invest in homes, services and support across all the communities we serve. 

There have been no immediate changes to how your services are delivered. Our priority has been to maintain services throughout the merger and integration. 

Over time, we expect the merger to help us improve services and increase investment in homes and communities. We will involve residents in shaping those improvements. 

Improving repairs is a key priority. Bringing our two organisations together allows us to combine expertise, make better use of resources and invest in how we deliver the service. 

This could include better technology for reporting repairs and improved communication with residents. You can continue to report repairs in the same way as you did before. 

The merger has not automatically changed when your kitchen or bathroom is due for replacement. 

Our planned replacement programmes are based on expected lifespans of 20 years for kitchens and 30 years for bathrooms. We also use stock condition surveys to assess their condition and help decide when work is needed. 

This approach remains in place following the merger. 

The merger has not automatically given you priority to move to another area. 

Your options will continue to depend on your eligibility, housing needs and the relevant allocation arrangements, including Manchester Move where applicable. 

Residents can also continue to explore mutual exchanges with eligible tenants in other areas. 

Tenants, leaseholders and shared owners were invited to share their views through a 10-week consultation, which closed on 27 August. 

Both organisations’ Boards carefully considered residents’ feedback before approving the merger. 

A Joint Resident Group, made up of residents from Southway and Wythenshawe, has met regularly to discuss issues important to residents and help make the consultation as inclusive as possible. 

We will continue to work with this group and other residents as we shape the new organisation and its services. 

Yes. We are developing our approach to resident involvement so residents can continue to influence decisions, scrutinise services and hold us to account. 

The Joint Resident Group will continue to support this work. Residents’ priorities will help shape our plans and how we deliver services. 

We will look at resident satisfaction, our performance in delivering services and whether we meet the commitments in the new organisation’s corporate plan. 

The plan will reflect residents’ priorities. We will share progress so you can see what has improved and where more work is needed. 

Yes. We are committed to supporting our local communities and neighbourhoods. 

We will continue to provide local services and work with residents to understand the needs of their communities. Residents will help shape our future services and neighbourhood priorities. 

The merger will help us continue to invest in communities by bringing together our skills, resources and partnerships. 

Southway’s commitment to invest £5m in its communities by 2030 remains in place, alongside Wythenshawe Community Housing Group’s £10m community investment over the next few years. 

Over time, we hope to increase this investment as one larger organisation. 

The interim brand for Southway Wythenshawe Homes was developed in house by our existing teams, helping to keep costs down. 

The costs of developing and introducing a long-term name and brand will be carefully controlled and managed within the wider merger and integration budget. 

The rebrand is not intended to divert money away from frontline services. We will continue to use our income to maintain homes, deliver services, invest in communities and meet our responsibilities as a landlord. 

We will be transparent with residents about the costs and benefits of the merger. 

John Bowker, formerly Chief Executive of Southway Housing Trust, is Chief Executive of the merged organisation. 

Nick Crofts, formerly Chair of Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, is Chair of the merged organisation. 

Both were selected through a robust process. 

Our resident groups, committees and Boards include people with a range of backgrounds and experiences. 

During the 10-week consultation, residents could share their views by post, phone, in person or online. 

We worked with the Joint Resident Group to make the consultation inclusive and accessible, with targeted activity to help reach different resident groups where needed. 

Yes. If you need help understanding our communications or would like information in a different format or language, please contact the relevant team: 

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