Golden Gates Housing Trust toasts five successful years

WARRINGTON based Golden Gates Housing Trust (GGHT) has marked its milestone 5th birthday by celebrating the completion of its ‘Investing in Neighbourhoods’ programme.

The housing association, which is the largest in Warrington, has invested £105million in the town over the past five years – that’s around £400,000 every week since the company was formed.

GGHT Managing Director, Peter Fitzhenry, reflects on the GGHT journey; “Five years ago
92% of customers voted in favour of the Warrington Borough Council housing stock being transferred to GGHT. In return an ambitious range of promises was put on the table. As an organisation we have worked incredibly closely with our customers and partners to improve homes and neighbourhoods. I’m really proud of my team who work incredibly hard every day to make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve and would like to thank our customers and partners for their contribution to our achievements and ongoing support.”

Promises delivered include a £74.5million investment in home improvements including new windows, doors, bathroom, kitchen and central heating upgrades. Estates have been made cleaner and greener thanks to a £2.5million spend on environmental improvements. Six hundred local people have been helped into work and hundreds more supported to become work ready. At the point of transfer customers were particularly keen on GGHT taking a harder line on anti-social behaviour (ASB). As a result extra staff were brought in and ASB has reduced by 24%.

Orford Resident Mr Verdon aged 91, said “I have been a tenant for 20 years,  the concern GGHT has shown me has been greatly appreciated and the improvements they have made to my home are wonderful.”

Leader of the council, Cllr Terry O’Neill, (pictured right) praised GGHT on its achievements by saying; “Congratulations to Golden Gates Housing Trust on five successful years of providing homes for people in Warrington. The council has maintained strong links with GGHT through the work of the Warrington Partnership and by working together, our community initiatives have improved housing and quality of life for local people.”

In April 2015 GGHT joined forces with St Helens based Helena Partnerships to form a new housing group called Torus.

Rob Young, Torus Group Chief Executive, explains what the future holds for GGHT and Torus; “GGHT should be very proud of its achievements which have undoubtedly touched the lives of thousands of people and brought much needed investment to homes and neighbourhoods. Being part of Torus will enable GGHT to continue to invest in the town. As a group our priority is to address the shortfall of affordable homes in the region by to building more homes for sale and rent. This in turn will boost the local economy, the prosperity of local communities and the range of opportunities for the people who live there.”

Find out more at www.gght.org.uk/5GreatYears