Regulator continues role at Association

Wishaw and District Housing Association (WDHA) has been ordered to carry out a strategic review of the organisation.

The Scottish Housing Regulator used its statutory powers to appoint a manager and five governing body members in February last year because it was not assured WDHA had the necessary governance and leadership capacity to undertake the scale of the work required and to manage the financial risks arising from the site without expert support.

The Regulator has now decided to continue intervention at the Association for the next six months.

The Regulator considered that WDHA poor governance and the financial risks it faced posed“a significant risk to tenants’interests, to public and private funders’confidence and to the general reputation of registered social landlords”.

The statutory appointments were extended for another six months in August.

Brenda Higgins, chairperson of Wishaw and District Housing Association said:“The Board recognises that there are still improvements to be made and that a strategic review is required to assess the best solution for the Association’s tenants and other service users.

“However, I am pleased that the Regulator has acknowledged the strength of our customer service and the high levels of tenant satisfaction.

“We are committed to ensuring that tenants, staff and the wider community are fully involved in discussions about our future management.”

A survey last year showed 94 per cent satisfaction, four points up from three years ago and five points higher than the Scottish average.

Since the Regulator continued its intervention in August, WDHA has addressed many of the problems highlighted within the regulation plan.

For example, it has recently completed a feasibility study which has identified options for developing the Main Street site of the former Tesco store in Wishaw town centre and its financial position is improving and is sustainable for the long term.