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Gentoo hires Engie for £43m maintenance works
Gentoo Housing has announced plans to perform significant maintenance work on 1,500 homes across Sunderland as part of an extensive makeover.
The housing association has appointed Engie to implement the four-year programme, which is aimed at prolonging the life and improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of Gentoo’s housing stock.
Gentoo manages 29,000 homes in Sunderland and the North East.
Works will include re-roofing properties and repairing gable walls at the Racecourse Estate in Houghton-le-Spring and Town End Farm in Sunderland. Several properties have been identified as in need of imminent repointing, brick-work, lead-work, fire breaks and topping up of roof-space insulation.
The Homes and Communities Agency downgraded Gentoo to a non-compliant rating last year, due to executive pay-offs and a number of properties being below decent homes standards.
The association later revealed 2,545 homes were affected, particularly by problems with gable walls. It promised to bring them up to standard by this summer.
Andrew McIntosh, regional managing director for Engie’s places & communities division, said: “This is a sensitive but vital project, in which resident welfare is the utmost priority. Gentoo has a very clear and direct vision of ensuring their housing stock is fit for purpose and their tenants are safe and happy.
“We have demonstrated our extensive abilities in this line of work and have the infrastructure in place to ensure we deliver a seamless and inclusive programme for residents.”
“As with all of our projects across the UK, we will also be looking to use a local supply chain and provide employment or training prospects for people in the area, including Gentoo tenants, to ensure we are putting as much as possible back into the local community.”
Conan McKinley, director of asset strategy at Gentoo, said: “Gentoo is committed to continual investment in our customers’ homes and we look forward to working with Engie over the planned four-year period.”
