Member Article

The Vela Group celebrates multi-million pound promise delivery

A major North East Housing Group, which provides affordable social housing to thousands of people across the Tees Valley, is celebrating two years of significant achievements since its launch.

The Vela Group, which was formed in December 2010, embraces social landlords Tristar Homes in Stockton and Housing Hartlepool.

Since it was established, Vela - a major employer in the area with a workforce of more than 700 - has been keeping its promises to customers, helping to improve their lives, homes and neighbourhoods.

Over £49 million has been invested to improve customers’ homes within the first two financial years, with an additional £95 million to be invested in homes and communities over the next three financial years. This has seen homes in Stockton brought up to a modern standard with the replacement of windows, kitchens and heating systems; and continued investment in external works in Hartlepool.

Another key priority for Vela has been its new build programme which has seen the construction of 319 homes at a cost of £28m, including a Homes and Communities Agency grant support of nearly £11m.

The programme, which will see the Group building homes in the North East and North Yorkshire, includes family homes and bungalows for older people, offered on a range of tenures to help more people onto the property ladder.

In addition to improving communities, Vela has been committed to supporting its customers through difficult financial times, providing a Money Advice Service to nearly 1,800 customers working with other agencies.

An Employability Service has also helped to target unemployment and the barriers preventing people from finding work. Working with partner agencies, Tristar Homes has been able to help 123 customers into jobs and 119 into training since April 2011. This service has proved such a success, it will be rolled out across the whole of the Vela Group next year.

In addition to the above, Vela, which has created more than 40 new apprenticeships within the organisation, will work with social enterprise partners to deliver training and employment opportunities for young people as part of an ‘Empty Homes’ refurbishment programme.

Cath Purdy, Vela Group Chief Executive, said: “Since Vela was launched, the Group has made great strides in shaping places, creating sustainable, cohesive communities and changing people’s lives for the better.

“We are fulfilling the promises we made at the time of Vela’s formation to the people who live in our 17,000 homes, as well as providing much needed new homes.

“The firm foundations that have been established will enable Vela to further strengthen its position as a provider of high quality homes and a driving force supporting financial and social inclusion and the regeneration of neighbourhoods.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Recognition PR Business Team .