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Women’s specialist housing associations in talks for merger
The UK’s two largest specialist housing associations for women are exploring plans to merge.
In a joint statement today, London-based Women’s Pioneer Housing (WPH) and Housing for Women said their boards were examining a merger to create “greater financial and operational capacity” to offer a “stronger” service to women in the capital.
“We are the two largest women’s housing associations but we are acutely aware that the demand for homes and support services for women in London far exceeds what either organisation can provide alone,” the groups said.
The merger will allow them to deliver “high-quality” homes and give women “wider housing solutions and choices”, the groups added.
Inside Housing understands that talks remain at an early stage with a further announcement not imminent.
WPH, which was established in 1920, owns around 1,000 properties across eight London boroughs.
The group takes referrals from local councils, hostels, community organisations and its own two waiting lists for single women aged over 35 and 45.
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In its accounts to December 2017, WPH reported a 9% drop in operating surplus to £1.3m off a turnover of £8.2m.
Speaking to Inside Housing in 2017, Denise Fowler, chief executive of WPH, said female-led tenancies are important as “women are disadvantaged in the housing market”.
Housing for Women, which traces its roots back to the 1930s, manages around 920 homes across 10 London boroughs.
In its last full year, the association recorded a 25% drop in surplus to £574,788 off a flat revenue of £7.98m.
The associations said: “Both organisations will be working together with residents and service users and other stakeholders to explore whether a merger would enable us to provide a stronger housing offer and support services to women in London.”
