News & Stories

Three new members

8 November 2023

Magna Housing, Moat and RHP Group are each different, but united in their commitment to what they do locally. We are delighted to welcome them.

Placeshapers is delighted to announce three new members have joined its network of more than 100 community-focused housing associations.

Magna Housing, a south west landlord, Moat, with homes in the south east, and RHP Group in west London are the new additions.

PlaceShapers Chair Matthew Walker 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.

“Magna Housing, Moat and RHP Group share this ethos; each is different, which adds to the diversity of Placeshapers, but united in their commitment to what they do locally. We are delighted to welcome them.”

Selina White, Chief Executive at Magna Housing, said: “We believe in the power of partnership and collaboration. There has never been a more challenging time for the housing sector and no single organisation has all the answers, or indeed the resources, to tackle the current and future challenges. We want to work with other community-based organisations on resolving issues together.”

Mary Gibbons, Chief Executive at Moat, said: “There is strength in collective action and shared purpose, so we welcome the chance to connect with other housing associations that share similar values and goals. Becoming a PlaceShaper will amplify our voice and create opportunities for us to advocate for our customers, contribute to the wellbeing of our communities, and shape housing policy at a national level.”

Sarah Thomas, Chief Executive at RHP Group, said: “We believe that being part of a collective of other passionate place-based housing organisations will enable us to have a stronger voice, and help us to play our part in creating positive change for our sector, and most importantly our residents and communities.”

PlaceShapers is run ‘by members, for member’. 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.