Green Light for Group Structure

Community Housing Cymru (CHC) and Care & Repair Cymru (CRC) have been given the final green light to form a group structure.

CHC's National Council had already approved plans to form the structure and at a Special General Meeting held by CRC, shareholders voted on changes to their rules to allow CHC to become their parent. The vote required a 75% return in favour and the meeting saw 98% of its shareholders vote in favour of the change.

Collaborative activities have been set out by both organizations and work is now under way to finalise the legal, governance and financial work that is required in the setting up of a group structure and it is hoped to have all this in place by July 1^st. The Chief Executive for the Group will be Nick Bennett, and he will be supported by Chris Jones, Managing Director of Care and Repair Cymru, Phillipa Knowles, Director of Central Services and Sioned Hughes, Director of Policy and Social Enterprise. Both organizations will retain their separate identities, roles and responsibilities.

Phillipa Knowles said: "This is a really exciting time for both organisations.  There is a huge potential for the group to achieve over the coming years in terms of joint lobbying and activities and this will be good news for the people of Wales who are in need of housing - whatever their age or circumstance. The Group's staff can't wait to put in place the plans that have been made over these last few intensive months and to start to see the benefits of collaborative working."

Chris Jones, added: " This collaboration makes tremendous sense. Staff of both organizations are looking forward to working in partnership and strengthening each other's cause. Older people living in housing currently unsuitable for their needs can be assured that the partnership will help deliver their message, and help strengthen housing services for all older people across Wales"

For further information contact

Edwina O'Hart, PR Office Community Housing Cymru ( 02920 557414

Vera Brinkworth, Head of External Affairs, Care & Repair Cymru ( 029 20576286

Notes to Editors

Community Housing Cymru is the membership body for housing associations and community mutuals, which are all not-for-profit and provide around 112,000 homes and housing services throughout Wales.

As a registered charity our objectives are to: 

• promote the voluntary housing sector in Wales
• promote the relief of financial hardship through the sector's provision of low cost social housing
• provide services, education, training, information, advice and support to providers of such housing in Wales
• encourage and facilitate the provision, construction, improvement and management of low cost social housing by housing associations in Wales.  

Care & Repair Cymru is the national body for Care and Repair in Wales, the Older Persons Housing Champion.

The 22 Care and Repair Agencies across Wales help older people to remain living in their own homes with increased independence and dignity. This is achieved by carrying out and facilitating adaptations, repairs and improvements for older people in their own homes.