Member Article

400 new homes on cards thanks to Grŵp Cynefin’s ambitious growth strategy

North Wales’ only pan-regional housing association has unveiled an ambitious growth strategy that will see it deliver more than 400 additional new homes by 2021.

And innovation will be key to its successful delivery, says Grŵp Cynefin, as the current tough financial environment for social housing looks set to persist.

Greater measured risk; opportunities presented by the Wylfa Newydd project; partnerships with other regional social landlords (RSLs); plus working with Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board, are among tactics cited in its Growth Strategy 2018-21.

Launching the new strategy, chief executive Shan Lloyd Williams said that new ideas and different ways of working would enable Grŵp Cynefin to help meet the housing needs of a North Wales population that is increasing and ageing.

She said: “We make no apology for being ambitious. It’s a much tougher financial environment out there now, but we have already worked out that by being creative and open-minded, we can improve our performance by achieving better value for money for our tenants and customers.

“We’re starting from a position of strength, as we’ve already secured all the financing capacity for our development plans for the next two to three years.

“Going forward, we’re going to make greater use of market analysis, feedback from tenants and customers, and intelligence from local authorities and health boards.”

During the three-year period, Grŵp Cynefin will develop 360 new social housing units, plus a further 48 new homes for intermediate rent under the Welsh Housing Partnership.

Formed five years ago from the merger of Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd and Cymdeithas Tai Eryri, Grŵp Cynefin will also develop its existing collaborative partnerships with the Welsh Government and local authorities, and seek new opportunities such as those offered by the North Wales Economic Ambition Board’s growth plan.

In addition to social and intermediate rental properties, under the strategy, Grŵp Cynefin will also step up its provision of homes via shared ownership, Homebuy, and through market and discounted sales.

It will also work in partnership with Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board across North Wales, to help develop local visions for health, social care and housing, and participate in delivering solutions to meet the population’s health and well-being needs.

Internally, Grŵp Cynefin will also invest in employee development and training, with the aim of achieving a 95 per cent level of staff satisfaction by Year 3.

Ms Williams added: “We are already respected by local authorities in particular for our ability to be flexible in our approaches and to develop innovative solutions that best fit the problem or unmet need. This approach is important and our new growth strategy is going to ensure that it continues for the future and across all our offering.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .