Merger updates

• Why is Wythenshawe Community Housing Group merging with Southway Housing Trust?

  Both organisations are strong and financially stable. However, rising living costs, higher operating and material costs, growing housing waiting lists and new regulation continue to affect how we support residents and communities.

  The merger will create one organisation serving more than 47,000 residents and 21,000 homes across Greater Manchester.

  Becoming a larger organisation will make us financially stronger and more resilient, helping us meet residents’ needs and aspirations and provide greater value for money.

• Tell me more about the partnership

  The merger is a partnership of equals, bringing together the shared values, purpose and strengths of both housing associations.

  Legally, Southway will transfer its engagements to Wythenshawe Community Housing Group. This means Southway’s homes, responsibilities and obligations will transfer to WCHG and Southway will cease to exist as a separate legal entity.

  The combined organisation will operate under the interim name Southway Wythenshawe Homes. By combining our resources and expertise, we can do more for residents and communities.

• What does this mean for me?

  There will be no immediate changes to how you access services or contact us. Your tenancy or lease terms and your existing rights will remain the same.

  Over time, we expect the merger to help us improve repairs and other services, invest more in homes and communities and build more affordable homes.

  Residents’ feedback will help shape these improvements. We’ll explain what we plan to do and when, so you can see how we’re responding to your priorities.

• Will my landlord change?

  To merge, Southway Housing Trust will transfer its properties and engagements to Wythenshawe Community Housing Group and the merged organisation will adopt a new name. So, you would not have a new landlord but it would have a new name. The conditions of your tenancy or lease would not change as a result and you would have the same rights and protection that you have now.

• Can I still access services, report repairs and contact you in the same way?

  Yes. You can continue to pay your rent, report a repair and contact us in the same way as you do now, including by phone, email, in person or online through our website or your online customer account.

  There are no planned changes to how you make a complaint.

• Where will the offices be?

  Our offices will remain in their current locations in Didsbury and Wythenshawe, with accessible receptions for residents to visit.

  Our community centres will remain open and there are no plans to close local offices because of the merger.

• Will I have to do everything online?

  No. We will continue to provide different ways to access services, including by phone, face to face at our offices and through home visits where needed.

  Online services will remain available for residents who prefer to use them.

• Will I still have the same housing officer and be able to meet them face to face?

  Yes. You would still speak to the same housing and Neighbourhoods teams and contact us in the same way.

• Will residents with disabilities still receive support that meets their individual needs?

  Yes. Your current disability support services will continue when the merger takes place.

  We remain committed to providing a personalised service that takes account of your individual needs and making sure we have colleagues available to deliver that support.

• Will my rent or service charges increase because of the merger?

  No. Your rent and service charges will not increase because of the merger.

  Rents will continue to be reviewed annually in line with Government rules and the required notice periods.

  Service charges reflect the cost of providing services. They may increase or decrease in future in line with those costs, your tenancy or lease and the relevant service charge policy.

  Having homes in different or more affluent areas will not, in itself, cause your rent or service charges to increase.

• Will rent money from Southway residents be used to fund extra support in areas of Wythenshawe with greater needs?

  No. Both organisations already have strong long-term financial plans and neither relies on extra funding from the other.

  By coming together, we expect to have more money available to invest in homes, services and support across all the communities we serve.

• Will the level of service I receive change?

  There will be no immediate changes to how your services are delivered. Our priority is to maintain services throughout the merger and integration.

  Over time, we expect the merger to help us improve services and increase investment in homes and communities. We will involve residents in shaping those improvements.

• Will repairs improve?

  Improving repairs is a key priority. Bringing the two organisations together will allow us to combine expertise, make better use of resources and invest in how we deliver the service.

  This could include better technology for reporting repairs and improved communication with residents. You can continue to report repairs in the same way as you do now.

• Will I get a new kitchen or bathroom more quickly?

  The merger will not automatically change when your kitchen or bathroom is due for replacement.

  Our planned replacement programmes are based on expected lifespans of 20 years for kitchens and 30 years for bathrooms. We also use stock condition surveys to assess their condition and help decide when work is needed.

  This approach will continue after the merger.

• What about my Right to Buy or Right to Acquire?

  The merger will not change your existing eligibility for the Right to Buy or Right to Acquire your home.

• Will the merger make it easier to move to another area?

  The merger will not automatically give you priority to move to another area.

  Your options will continue to depend on your eligibility, housing needs and the relevant allocation arrangements, including Manchester Move where applicable.

  Residents can also continue to explore mutual exchanges with eligible tenants in other areas.

• How have residents had a say on the merger?

  Tenants, leaseholders and shared owners were invited to share their views through a 10-week consultation, which closed on 27 August.

  Both organisations’ Boards carefully considered residents’ feedback before approving the merger.

  A Joint Resident Group, made up of residents from Southway and Wythenshawe, has met regularly to discuss issues important to residents and help make the consultation as inclusive as possible.

  We will continue to work with this group and other residents as we shape the new organisation and its services.

• Will residents still have a strong voice in a larger organisation?

  Yes. We are developing the new organisation’s approach to resident involvement so residents can continue to influence decisions, scrutinise services and hold us to account.

  The Joint Resident Group will continue to support this work. Residents’ priorities will help shape our plans and how we deliver services.

• How will you measure whether the merger has been successful for residents?

  We will look at resident satisfaction, our performance in delivering services and whether we meet the commitments in the new organisation’s corporate plan.

  The plan will reflect residents’ priorities. We will share progress so you can see what has improved and where more work is needed.

• Will the new organisation keep its local community focus?

  Yes. Both organisations share a commitment to supporting local communities and neighbourhoods. 

  We will continue to provide local services and work with residents to understand the needs of their communities. Residents will help shape our future services and neighbourhood priorities. 

• Will the new housing association be able to build more homes?

  Yes. Combining our resources and increasing our access to funding will help us build more affordable homes to meet growing demand across Greater Manchester. 

  Together, we can play a greater role in tackling the housing crisis. We plan to build more than 3,200 new homes over the next five years. We’ll also be better placed to take on larger, more complex housing schemes, to accelerate housing delivery and regeneration.   

• What about community investment?

  The merger will help us invest in communities by bringing together our skills, resources and partnerships. 

  Southway’s commitment to invest £5m in its communities by 2030 remains in place, alongside Wythenshawe Community Housing Group’s £10m community investment over the next few years. 

  Over time, we hope to increase this investment as one larger organisation. 

• How will the new name and brand be paid for?

  The interim brand for Southway Wythenshawe Homes is being developed in house by our existing teams, helping to keep costs down. 

  The costs of developing and introducing a long-term name and brand will be carefully controlled and managed within the wider merger and integration budget. 

  The rebrand is not intended to divert money away from frontline services. We will continue to use our income to maintain homes, deliver services, invest in communities and meet our responsibilities as a landlord. 

  We will be transparent with residents about the costs and benefits of the merger. 

• When will the merger happen?

  Both organisations’ Boards approved the final business case on 21 September, giving the go ahead for the merger to take place in early November. 

• Who will lead the new organisation?

  John Bowker, Southway Housing Trust’s current Chief Executive, will become Chief Executive of the new organisation. 

  Nick Crofts, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group’s current Chair, will become Chair of the new organisation. 

  Both were selected through a robust process. 

• How have you helped residents with disabilities or language barriers have their say?

  Our resident groups, committees and Boards include people with a range of backgrounds and experiences. 

  During the 10-week consultation, residents could share their views by post, phone, in person or online. 

  We worked with the Joint Resident Group to make the consultation inclusive and accessible, with targeted activity to help reach different resident groups where needed. 

• Can I get information in a different format or language?

  Yes. If you need help understanding our communications or would like information in a different format or language, please call us on 0300 111 0000. 

  You can also use the accessibility tools on our website by clicking the accessibility icon. 

Leaseholders

• What does this mean for me as a leaseholder?

  Wythenshawe Community Housing Group will continue as your landlord, operating under the interim name Southway Wythenshawe Homes. 

  The terms of your lease and your existing rights will remain the same. 

• Will my service charges increase because of the merger?

  No. Service charges will not increase because of the merger. 

  They will continue to reflect the cost of providing services in line with your lease and the relevant service charge policy. Over time, we hope the merger will help us provide better value for money. 

• Are building management arrangements changing?

  No. There are no planned changes to how your building is managed when the merger takes place.

Shared owners

• Would my shared ownership agreement change?

  No. Wythenshawe Community Housing Group will continue as your landlord, operating under the interim name Southway Wythenshawe Homes.

  The terms of your shared ownership lease will remain the same.

• Will I still have the same staircasing rights?

  Yes. Your existing rights to buy additional shares in your home, known as staircasing, will remain the same. 

• Will the value of my home be affected?

  House prices can change for many reasons, but the merger is not expected to have a negative impact on the value of your home.