2 minute read
A letter from Garry
As we approach the end of 2023, we naturally start to look to the future and our plans for 2023/2024.
Along with the management team, we have started to look at the things we need to do to deliver for our tenants. This includes identifying and agreeing the key priorities for our organisation plan and how we can ensure that these are delivered effectively.
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As usual, there is a lot to do, but I am confident that by working together we can achieve it and continue to support the thousands of families that rely on us.
I’m also pleased to see that we are now in a position to restart our stock condition survey programme. The team has the huge task of visiting all our homes over the next 12 months. This will help us identify any issues that require urgent attention such as unreported damp and mould or repairs and plan our maintenance and investment programme across the portfolio.
While remain in a strong financial position, the Chancellor confirmed that rent for social housing would be capped at 7% for 2023/2024 earlier this month. With inflation still sitting around 12%, this leaves us with around a 5% deficit between what it costs to run our organisation and the income we will receive.
We are not immune to the impact of the current financial situation and must be cautious in our approach to managing costs in the short- to medium-term. As the cost of living crisis continues, this will be the same for many of our tenants.
We recently launched a Cost of Living Group to focus our efforts on finding ways we can provide additional help and support to those that need it most. I’m really pleased to see us taking action in this area and working across teams to get information and advice out to our tenants and the wider community – in times like this every little really does help.
Finally, as we decorate the office and book in Christmas lunches, it’s inspiring to see initiatives such as the Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal and donations for the local foodbank being championed across the Group.
This makes me incredibly proud to be part of this team, and I know that everyone at Two Rivers Housing will continue to do everything they can to support our tenants and each other through these difficult times.
