Four Housing Group, the parent company of Berwick Borough Housing, has now completed refurbishments in 1,800 homes under the Decent Homes guidelines, since taking over the management of the former Berwick Council’s housing stock in 2008.
The £27million, four-year investment programme began in January 2009 with the promise to bring the homes in line with the Government’s Decent Homes Standards. The refurbishments varied from home to home, ranging from new kitchens and bathrooms to electrical rewires and upgraded heating systems.
A breakdown of the work completed during the course of the project includes: 1,466 new kitchens, 1,569 new bathrooms, 1,576 electrical rewires and 1,323 new or upgraded heating systems. Since 2009, over 90 per cent of Four Housing Group customers said they were satisfied or highly satisfied with the works done. Last year, the group achieved an overall satisfaction level of 96 per cent an exceptionally high score in the housing industry.
Jen Brown, a Four Housing Group tenant in Seahouses, said: “I am really happy with the refurbishments within my bungalow. As well as some electrical rewires, I have had a new walk-in shower and kitchen installed and some night storage heaters which are wonderful.”
David Brown, Head of Asset Management at Four Housing Group, said: “The refurbishment programme was intended to bring the transferred housing stock up to the Government’s Decent Homes Standards and was a huge undertaking for us.
“To be able to say we finished the project on time and on budget is a great achievement. Coupled with the exceptional satisfaction ratings from our customer surveys, the success of this project is a testament to the skill and dedication of all involved.”
David also affirmed the Group’s intention to continue investment: “This is not the end of our investment in homes in North Northumberland. We are looking to invest millions of pounds over the next three years in the housing.”
