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Christmas Card Competition Winner 2011
The Association welcomed the very deserving winner in our popular Design a Christmas Card competition to our offices on the 24th November.
This year for the first time a pupil from Lady Lovat Primary school, Heather Nicolson - a primary 4 pupil produced the winning design. Heather and the rest of her school visited Printsmith to watch the card in production as part of the prize.
Heather was presented with a framed copy of her design and a gift by staff members Irene Christie and Alistair Kennedy. Heather said “I was absolutely thrilled to have my design chosen for the Lochaber Housing Association Christmas Card. My prizes were super. My picture is up on my living room wall so that everyone can see it”.
The Association staff were delighted to attend a very melodic concert performed by the children, who entertained by playing recorders, tin whistles, guitars and the clarsach.
Head Teacher Maureen Sutherland commented “The pupils had a wonderful day visiting Printsmith and the Lochaber Housing Association Offices. The staff were so generous of their time. We all had a wonderful day out”.
The association also passed a small donation to each school for taking part.
Chief Executive Blair Allan thanked all the schools who took part and especially thanked Printsmith for welcoming the children into their workshop.
New Claggan Properties
On the 17th October 2011 the new residents of Achariach and Dun Deardail were handed the keys to their brand new properties in Claggan.
The new developments had been built on land once occupied by Fort William Fire Brigade and NEWCO a local manufacturing company. The developments were made up of 24 affordable social rented properties and 6 LIFT New supply Shared Equity low cost home ownership.
Local architect David Mee designed the dramatic development and UBC built the homes.
Finance for the two developments which cost over £4 million to build came from the Scottish Government and the Association.
The affordable social rented properties were allocated to applicants of the Highland Housing Register.
To mark the new development all residents’ names were placed in a hat with two winning residents receiving a festive hamper each. Emma Sangster and Mr & Mrs Turner were the winning recipients, all of whom expressed their thanks to the Association for providing them with lovely homes in the development.
Pictured are Emma Sangster and her daughter Lacey and Mrs Turner with Housing Officers David MacLaren & Irene Christie.
LOCHABER CREDIT UNION SCHEME
On the first of September 2011, Lochaber Housing Association together with Lochaber Credit Union have rolled out an exciting new scheme to help tenants plan their finances in a more positive way.
Every Thursday will see an advice worker from Lochaber Credit Union occupy interview space in the Association offices between 10am – 4.00pm offering expert financial advice for our tenants.
In addition to this service, the Association has also become a designated collection point where Lochaber Credit Union members can deposit money.
LHA Chief Executive Blair Allan said “the project is aimed at reducing financial exclusion for our tenants. By providing increased opportunities for debt management as well as easily accessible ways to save and an opportunity to access loans at reasonable rates we feel that this is a clear route to income maximisation for our tenants.”
Pictured are Sheree Kennedy of Lochaber Housing Association and Ellen Edwards and Jane MacLean from Lochaber Credit Union.
LOCHABER HOUSING ASSOCIATION AGM 2011
Lochaber Housing Association (LHA) has managed to complete two new developments – totalling 24 new homes at Heathercroft, Fort William (21 rental) and Donald Row, Morar (3 rental) - despite facing unprecedented funding difficulties during 2010/2011 as a result of public sector spending cuts.
Speaking at the organisation’s AGM, held at Caol Community Centre on Monday on Monday 12th September 2011, LHA Chairperson Di Alexander reported “a difficult year” for the affordable housing sector, with the situation unlikely to improve over the coming financial year.
The Association’s Annual Report 2011, launched at the AGM, reveals a total capital expenditure on housing development of £4,697,776 to 31st March 2011, compared with £5,159,564 to 31st March 2010.
Outlining the challenges facing Lochaber Housing Association in the current economic climate, Mr Alexander said:
“In the face of public sector spending cuts, the budget for housing has decreased significantly. So much so that it remains to be seen if the Association will be awarded any money at all for new development this year – though we remain hopeful.
“As well as reducing the available funds for affordable housing, the Scottish Government has announced significantly reduced grant levels for each individual unit of accommodation. We are doing our very best to engage with this restricted funding regime for the benefit of those inadequately housed people of Lochaber and I am confident that the Association will continue to be progressive and innovative in its approach to meeting the needs of our communities and in maintaining flexibility within an ever-changing environment.”
Despite the downturn in funding for new development projects, however, LHA has enjoyed continuing improvement to the housing management and maintenance services developed by the association in response to tenant demand, and has recorded an overall approval rating of 90% in a recent Tenant Satisfaction Survey.
“This is welcome confirmation that we are providing the kind of quality service and value for money that we can be proud of,” Mr Alexander told the AGM. “However, the survey did point to the need for improvement in a few areas and the Management Committee has approved an action plan to take these forward.”
Subsidiary companies Lochaber Care & Repair and LHA Property Services – both now well-established - continue to enable Lochaber Housing Association to provide the best possible value for money for tenants and owner occupiers, while providing training and employment opportunities for young apprentices. A total of £545,823 was spent on major and cyclical repairs during the past financial year, while a further £344,460 was committed to reactive repairs.
Projects due to commence on site or be completed during 2011/12 include 22 homes at the former industrial unit, Claggan, Fort William (8 rented, 4 shared equity); eight homes at the former Fire Station, Claggan (6 rented, 2 shared equity); 23 homes at Lochyside, Fort William (18 rented, 5 shared equity) and one home for rent at the Former Primary School, Acharacle. Future projects in the pipeline include developments at Strontian, Kinlochleven, Inchree and Lochyside & Heathercroft in Fort William.
Pictured are Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch and LHA Chairperson Di Alexander.
