In 2020, Choice Housing and Victoria Housing Estates Limited (VHE) finalised a £25m stock transfer deal. Following a challenging period for VHE, their properties had fallen below the Decent Homes Standard and required millions of pounds of investment to restore.
Following extensive consultation with former VHE tenants, a stock transfer was agreed resulting in 301 previously managed VHE properties and tenancies moving to Choice’s ownership. As part of the transfer agreement, the properties were included in a renovation and refurbishment programme which would bring them up to the required standard.
A programme was developed with the aim of completing the works across all property locations by 2024.
A key element of this transformation project, aside from providing all tenants with homes that were up to a high standard, was the contrition to the regeneration of the areas of each of these schemes, many of which had been negatively impacted due to void or run down properties.
Due to the multiple locations of the former VHE properties a large number of tenants had been in their homes for many years and were an active part of their community. Consultation and engagement formed a key part of this project, and this was carried out through a range of platforms to ensure all tenants and the wider local community were engaged.
A phased programme of works was planned with Phase 1 focusing on refurbishment of void properties across the various locations which could be used as temporary decant properties. Completion of phase 1 resulted in over 70 void properties being fully refurbished and being used as decant properties.
Works to occupied properties are being delivered in Phases 2-9 of the project, via multiple works contracts. To date, Choice have completed refurbishment works to 55 of the occupied properties that included the decanting and recanting of our tenants.
“The difference that Choice have made to the Riverdale area after taking ownership of the properties is a very positive one. They have engaged with residents and worked out a plan in conjunction with tenants to refurbish their homes.
The work that has been carried out on the refurbs has made a massive positive difference to the properties. The tenants are now living in homes that are fit for purpose, warm, modernised and this has made major improvements to the quality of people’s lives who live there.”
Paul Maskey, MP for West Belfast
