A star performance

We have been rated by the Audit Commission as a good, two star, housing service with promising prospects for further improvement.

The result means that we will be able to access £55m government funding that will be invested in many of the homes we manage over the next five years.

Speaking about the result Ted Jones, chairman of Stevenage Homes and a tenant said "The two star rating is a remarkable achievement for everyone at Stevenage Homes. In January 2007 Stevenage Homes was rated as poor and we have worked very hard to bring the services we provide up to today’s standard. Very few housing providers in the country have been able to improve their rating by so much in such a short space of time. The Audit Commission’s acknowledgement that we also have promising prospects for improvement means that they believe we have the structures and procedures in place to ensure that we can continue to build on the significant improvements we have already achieved."

The Audit Commission report describes our services as responsive and customer focused and points out a “strong and genuine commitment to resident involvement”.  The management of anti-social behaviour, customer consultation and use of customer profile information to guide service development has been highlighted as “positive practice” by the Commission.

During the inspection each part of Stevenage Homes was evaluated by comparing strengths and weaknesses in each service and by comparing the service with other housing providers.

The report describes the repairs service as “easy to access” and continues by saying “Repairs are generally completed quickly, work is of a high standard and there is a strong focus on completing repairs in one visit.”

Inspectors also say that “Major works are completed to a high standard and show customer focus.” They have also highlighted several improvements in the management of empty homes and gas servicing

Cllr Ann Webb, executive councillor for housing, added "Good housing services benefit the whole community. Stevenage now has a housing service of which it can be proud. This result will allow us to invest a total of £80 million in tenants’ homes and provide homes and services that truly make life better to local people. The rating is testament to the hard work of everyone who has been involved with Stevenage Homes, including all the residents who have given their time to help shape services. Stevenage Borough Council would like to congratulate Stevenage Homes for this remarkable achievement, it’s great news for everyone."

You can download a copy of our inspection report in full by clicking below:

Inspection report 2009