Housing team hopes to strike it lucky at national awards

A housing organisation which is responsible for thousands of homes in Hartlepool is in the running for national honours.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Feb 2017, 05:00 BST
Updated 28th Feb 2017, 11:47 BST
Front right, Ian Wardle, chief executive at Thirteen, pictured with the support to stay team.Front right, Ian Wardle, chief executive at Thirteen, pictured with the support to stay team.
Front right, Ian Wardle, chief executive at Thirteen, pictured with the support to stay team.

The Support to Stay team at housing group Thirteen, which operates Housing Hartlepool, has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Innovation of the Year category of the 2017 Housing Awards.

The team supports people who are at risk of losing their tenancy because of issues such as bereavement, job loss, separation, drug and alcohol dependency, and mental health issues - and it gives that support for up to six months.

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Staff offer tailored support to meet people’s individual needs.

They provide help on issues such as home conditions, finances, welfare benefits, health problems, tenancy management, neighbour disputes and anti-social behaviour.

Ian Wardle, chief executive at Thirteen, said: “We’re delighted that this innovative scheme has made the shortlist for the prestigious UK Housing Awards.

“As a caring landlord and housing developer, one of our priorities is to provide support and opportunities to our tenants and this scheme is an excellent example of how intervention and tailored support is crucial to helping vulnerable customers through the difficult times in their tenancy.

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“Many of our tenants face challenges, and the team work in partnership with others at Thirteen such as the money advice, anti-social behaviour and customer services to help them to stay in their homes.

“We are proud that this scheme differs from traditional housing management as it focuses on the person or family and their needs rather than just the landlord and tenant relationship.”

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Lancaster London Hotel on Wednesday, April 26.

Thirteen Group owns and manages more than 32,000 homes from an area spanning North Tyneside to York, making it the largest registered landlord group in the North East – and in the top 25 nationally. It is also one of the ten largest employers in the North East.

Thirteen’s partner companies are landlords Erimus Housing, Housing Hartlepool, Tees Valley Housing and Tristar Homes, alongside specialist arm Thirteen Care and Support.