AN influential new housing group with a commitment to bringing affordable homes and job opportunities to the region has opened its doors.
The Torus Group combines the strength, skills, local knowledge and strategic intent of two well established housing associations, Helena Partnerships and Golden Gates Housing Trust. Ambitious plans are in place to influence economic prosperity within the wider mid-Mersey region.
Torus Group Chief Executive, Rob Young, explains: “There is a desperate need for affordable homes in the North West. By joining forces as a Group, we aim to address this shortfall. Utilising our significant asset strength – some 22,000 homes – we intend to build more homes for both rent and sale.”
And this is just the start. Blending enterprise with social purpose, Torus has ambitious plans to create 2,500 local job opportunities over the next five years and to enhance the range of support services both housing associations already offer their 44,000 customers.
On a day-to-day basis, existing customers of both Helena and GGHT will be unaffected by the change in structure.
“Both Helena Partnerships and Golden Gates Housing Trust will retain their own local identities”, says Rob.
“Our commitment to our customers, their well being and the services we offer is unchanged. But joining forces as a Group enables us to bolster our resources, become stronger and achieve greater results in the long term.”
Torus will strive to exert even more influence on the supply of affordable homes, on the local economy, the prosperity of local communities and the health and wellbeing of the people who live there.
Crucially Rob explains, building homes will open doors for local people. “By 2020, we will build 1,500 homes. Each affordable home we build contributes a sizeable investment to the local economy, creates jobs for local people and opportunities for local businesses. We’re here to deliver housing regeneration with sustainable, economic and social regeneration at its heart.”
A staff base of around 1,000 makes the Torus Group one of the largest employers in the region, attracting talented individuals sharing the same corporate vision: to use strength and influence to deliver economic and social change.
Picture shows New Chairman Graham Burgess (left) and Chief Executive Rob Young
To find out more about Torus, visit www.wearetorus.co.uk or follow @WeAreTorus on Twitter.
