Association celebrates top landlord honour

AWARDS host Martin Roberts with First Choice CEO Cath Green, chair Ged Lucas and award sponsor Martin Bury

FIRST Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) beat organisations from across the country to be named "Social Landlord of the Year" at the Housing Excellence Awards.

The event, which celebrates the people and organisations aiming to make a difference in the world of housing, saw FCHO claim the coveted award for organisations with more than 10,000 homes after judges were impressed with the housing association's "community focus, social purpose and eye for efficiency".

First Choice Homes Chief Executive Cath Green accepted the award on the night along with Board Chair Ged Lucas and said: "We're delighted to win this award, as it recognizes the work each colleague at First Choice Homes does to improve lives in Oldham.

"The feedback from the judges was wonderful to hear and it makes me even more proud of the First Choice team than I already am."

Judges highlighted two areas in particular for praise - the Hospital 2 Home service and the Community Protection Warnings.

The Hospital 2 Home service sees a FCHO employee working with social workers at Royal Oldham Hospital to liaise with patients to identify any issues with their property which may delay their discharge after treatment. This helps patients to return home as soon as they ready and reduces bed blocking.

Community Protection Warnings are issued by First Choice's Community Legal Team and place responsibility on those committing acts of anti-social behaviour to comply with agreed terms or risk further action. It can avoid the need for injunctions and give early resolution to issues whilst also saving money.

Michelle Gordon, managing editor at Excel Media Solutions and editor of Housing magazine said: "Housing providers are increasingly expanding their remit to tackle wider issues; more than ever they are finding common cause with other public, private and charitable bodies to build powerful partnerships for change. And they continue to explore the boundaries, identifying where and how they can do more.

"Celebrating all this is what the Housing Excellence Awards are all about - highlighting the activities and the achievements of the organisations and the individuals that are at the heart of the social housing industry."

FCHO beat four other landlords to the award with prizes handed out at the Principal Hotel in Manchester city centre.

The event is now in its 14th year and was hosted by "I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here" and "Homes Under The Hammer" TV presenter Martin Roberts.