City South scoops national award
Outstanding achievements in getting people into work and training and supporting low-income residents have clinched City South Manchester Housing Trust a prestigious national award.
City South received the gong for Supporting Social and Economic Inclusion in the UK Housing Awards - a ceremony that shines the spotlight on excellence in social housing and community regeneration.
We have used a range innovative measure to great effect to get local people into work or help them get the skills they need - resulting in 500 residents securing jobs or training. This has been made possible through The Works - a thriving, community-based job, training and advice centre, set up by City South and our partners - and other initiatives, such as securing apprenticeships for local people with our contractors.
Through a successful partnership with Manchester Credit Union, City South is also able to support disadvantaged and low income tenants living in our neighbourhoods. To date over 500 people have joined the credit union and are benefiting from its services. We have also run campaigns to help tenants beat loan sharks and address fuel poverty.
Dave Power, Chief Executive of City South, said: "There is a disproportionate prevalence of worklessness and financial exclusion among social housing tenants.
"Unchecked, these problems can lead to a cycle of benefit reliance, spiralling debt, unsustainable tenancies and low aspiration that can tear at the economic and social fabric of communities like ours.
"When City South Manchester launched in 2008 we knew our role would need to go far beyond repairs and rent collection to enable us to tackle these issues and realise the vision we had for our communities.
"Through our initiatives we have been able to make a difference in improving the life chances for our customers, increasing economic activity and local wealth retention and supporting our communities on the path to sustainability and prosperity.
"Winning this national award, which is highly respected within the social housing sector, is a fantastic achievement and recognition of our determination to regenerate and provide opportunities for our tenants and neighbourhoods."
This year's awards were presented by Michael Portillo at a lunchtime ceremony in London's Hilton Hotel on Wednesday 9 November 2011. The ceremony is organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and Inside Housing magazine.
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