PlaceShapers announces new member
18 March 2024
Placeshapers is delighted to welcome Gloucester City Homes to its network of more than 100 community-focused housing associations.
Gloucester City Homes (GCH) is an independent Housing Association with deep roots in the City of Gloucester and surrounding area, going back over 100 years. They currently support approximately 12,500 customers living in around 5,000 homes. As a social business they are committed to investing locally to create jobs and opportunities, want everyone to have a home they can be proud of, where they can thrive and be healthy.
Matthew Walker, PlaceShapers Chair and Chief Executive of Leeds Federated Housing, said: “PlaceShapers is a national network of place-based landlords who work together to help communities thrive. Members are ambitious for their communities, committed to long-term solutions, united in our purpose, and firmly in it for the long term. With its focus on place, Gloucester City Homes shares this ethos and we are delighted to welcome them.”
Guy Stenson, Chief Executive of Gloucester City Homes, said: “We are proud of our deep roots in the city and the long-term impact of the work that we do, the relationships and networks that we value and foster within the city as we work to create and maintain an environment where our customers and colleagues can thrive.
“Our role as a place shaper is important to us, it’s in our organisational DNA; our values and purpose aligned with those of Placeshapers.
“We are keen to strengthen our links and relationship, develop our thinking and influence with like-minded organisations recognising the impact that we can have together.
Membership is assessed by the PlaceShapers Board of ten chief executives, based on the housing organisation demonstrating that it:
-Has a long-standing commitment to the places it operates and how it strives to improve the social and economic resilience of the communities it works with.
-Puts residents and customers at the centre of what it does and ensures they have real influence on the organisation.
-Is locally focused and works actively with local authorities and local partners to improve and shape places at a strategic and operational level.
-Builds homes that respond to local housing needs and provides more than just landlord services because it cares about the people and places where it works.