Welcome to Saffron news

You may have heard about the regulation of social housing becoming more ‘tenant focussed’.

Subject to legislation passing through parliament, the Regulator of Social Housing will regulate providers of social housing, including Saffron, against new consumer standards by April 2024. The regulator will be consulting with us on the details of the new standards, which are likely to include safety, quality, neighbourhood, transparency, engagement and accountability, and tenancy.

It is expected that the standards will focus on outcomes for tenants – including new Tenant Satisfaction Measures - which we will begin to collect from April this year.

Our compliance with existing regulation is currently inspected every 4 years by an in-depth assessment carried out by the regulator.

Our last in-depth assessment was undertaken by the regulator during the winter of 2019/2020 and resulted in Saffron restoring its highest possible grade for the way the organisation is governed (G1). It is expected this 4-yearly in-depth assessment will be extended to include the new consumer standards.

At Saffron we welcome this new regulation, but we are not waiting for it.

During 2022 we launched our new Inspiring Saffron Strategy and supporting Saffron Community Membership, more information can be found on pages 4-5.

The strategy and Community Membership were created with tenants, and ensures you and your communities can influence how services and homes are improved as well as the longer-term direction and focus of Saffron. We are thrilled that 359 of you are now Saffron Community Members.

The strategy also sets out how over time we intend to improve the value for money you receive for the rent you pay, aiming to double the number of pennies in every pound of rent that is used to improve the quality of homes.

As well making improvements that are good for the environment, this is so we can make a sustainable difference to the big challenges you have talked to us about during 2022 – such as the cost of heating and instances of damp and mould in your home.

In support of this aim, during 2022 we brought almost £2 million of grants into Saffron to improve the quality of homes. We also worked with our existing and new lenders and investors to reduce the amount of interest we pay each year by £1 million –all of which will also be used to improve the quality of homes.

We acknowledge it will take time to reach every home, so if there is anything you wish to raise with us now about the quality of your home, the service you are receiving from Saffron or support we might be able to provide with the cost of living (more on pages 6-7), please email info@saffronhousing.co.uk or call 01508 532000.

Key dates and keeping up to date

Keep an eye out on our social media channels below, for useful tips, information and ways to get involved.

Facebook page - Saffron Housing Trust Twitter page - @saffronhousing Instagram page - saffronhousingtrust

February

6th - 12th - National Apprenticeship Week

March

6th - 11th - National Careers Week

April/May

9th - Easter

New issue of Saffron E-News

May

15th -21st - Mental Health Awareness Week

1st - 7th - Volunteers Week

July/August

New issue of Saffron E-News

September

11th - 17th - Gas Safety Week

Wishing you all the very best for 2023.

James