The Boards of Wythenshawe Community Housing Group and Southway Housing Trust have approved plans to merge, creating a larger, financially stronger housing provider serving more than 47,000 residents and 21,000 homes.
The two organisations are set to legally come together in early November, once the remaining legal and practical steps have been completed. The new organisation will initially be known as Southway Wythenshawe Homes, while work continues on a long-term name and brand.
It will be led by John Bowker, Southway Housing Trust’s current Chief Executive, who will become CEO, and Nick Crofts, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group’s current Chair, who will become Chair.
The merger aims to increase investment in existing homes, improve housing services and repairs and broaden community support. The new organisation also plans to build more than 3,200 new homes over five years, helping to meet local housing need.
It will remain local and rooted in South Manchester, with a focus on strengthening services and support across its neighbourhoods.
John Bowker, Southway Housing Trust’s current Chief Executive and incoming CEO of the new organisation, said:
“Residents have been clear about what matters most to them: good-quality homes, reliable repairs and services they can trust. These priorities will guide us as we bring our organisations together.
“By combining our strengths, we can invest more in existing homes, build more affordable homes and strengthen the support we offer across our communities. I’m looking forward to working with residents and colleagues to turn these ambitions into improvements people can see and experience.”
Nick Crofts, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group’s current Chair and incoming Chair of the new organisation, said:
“Both Boards have carefully considered the business case and the views shared by residents, colleagues and stakeholders. We believe this merger will create a stronger organisation, better placed to meet local housing needs while staying rooted in the communities we serve.
“Our responsibility now is to make sure we deliver on those ambitions. We will keep residents’ priorities at the heart of our decisions and continue to listen as we shape the new organisation together.”
The decision follows a 10-week resident consultation, with feedback forming an important part of the final business case considered by both Boards.
The consultation achieved over 2,000 resident responses across the two organisations, a strong level of participation for a consultation of this kind. Residents shared similar priorities, with high-quality repairs and maintenance and customer service topping both organisations’ lists.
A Joint Resident Group, made up of six residents from each organisation, helped represent residents’ views throughout the consultation. The group supports the merger and will continue to contribute as the organisations come together.
The new organisation will be a partnership of equals, with Southway Wythenshawe Homes initially operating as the trading name of Wythenshawe Community Housing Group. Residents will be kept informed as the organisations come together.