Civitas Social Housing (CSH) has announced that it supports the appointment of three additional Board members to the Westmoreland Supported Housing Board (as announced on 11 September 2019 by the Regulator of Social Housing). Civitas says that it “remains supportive of the Westmoreland Board’s ongoing actions to improve governance and is confident that the three new appointments will help it meet that objective”. Civitas also says that Westmoreland continues to meet its obligations to Civitas and to provide high quality homes for the Civitas tenants whilst producing rental income as expected.
About Civitas Social Housing
Civitas Social Housing PLC describes itself as the first Real Estate Investment Trust offering pure play exposure to social housing in England and Wales. The Company is managed by Civitas Housing Advisors Limited and is listed on the premium listing segment of the London Stock Exchange. The social homes owned by Civitas are provided on a long-term basis to Housing Associations with a wide range of tenants who vary in age profile and in the level of support that each receives. By acquiring these social homes, and working with Housing Associations, Civitas says that it seeks for tenants to experience a stable, high-quality living environment that offers good visibility of tenure.
About Westmoreland
Westmoreland Supported Housing Limited was established in 2002 as a not-for-profit housing provider by Pat and John Finney. The inspiration for this was their son Nigel, who was born very premature and suffered brain damage at birth, leaving him with learning difficulties and limited physical ability. Nigel was always included with the family and led as near a normal life as he was able. However, as he got older, he had aspirations to move on like his siblings, and his parents wanted to see him safe and settled. John and Pat had a large six bedroomed house. They decided to move to a smaller property and convert their previous home into a house suitable for Supported Living. Three friends moved into the property with Nigel along with a Support Provider and Westmoreland Supported Housing was born.
The Regulator of Social Housing published a judgment on Westmorland Supported Housing in May 2019. CSH says that this concerned the quality of accommodation related to a small property portfolio owned by other landlords. An earlier judgment, in November 2018, related to governance and viability issues. CSH says that, since then, Westmorland has made significant steps to address the shortcomings, including the appointment of a chairman with experience of the sector, board members and chief executive. CSH believes it is well on the way to being able to demonstrate that it is a strong, well-governed and successful organisation.
[QD comment: In our coverage of the Regulator of Social Housing’s judgement in May 2019 (click here to read), we commented that while it didn’t apply to CSH’s properties and tenants, the judgemented worrying failings at Westmoreland. It is therefore good to see oversight being strengthened in this way.}
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