Three Stars and Excellent Prospects for Sheffield Homes
Messages of thanks and praise have been flooding in to the organisation that manages Sheffield’s council-owned properties, as it was awarded the three star top rating for the third time in succession by the Audit Commission. An independent report released on 3 June 2010, by the Audit Commission also found that Sheffield Homes’ services have ‘excellent prospects for improvement’.
Sheffield Homes achieved the maximum three stars for providing ‘excellent’ housing management services following a rigorous inspection in February this year. Sheffield Homes is the only organisation in the country to achieve the excellent rating three times for its services to tenants, which is a remarkable achievement for an organisation only six years old.
Sheffield Homes Chief Executive, Peter Morton said: “This is a fantastic achievement. Three star status not only enhances the reputation of Sheffield Homes but also that of the council and the city as a whole. I'd like to thank everyone involved for their contributions and support.”
The inspectors felt that Sheffield Homes had a good understanding of its customers’ needs and a strong commitment to customer care. Improvement works to bring all homes up to the decent homes standard were planned and managed well. Customers were involved in the delivery of services and satisfaction levels were high. Repairs were carried out promptly and housing management services were performing well.
Councillor Penny Baker, Sheffield City Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, said: "I would like to thank the staff of Sheffield Homes and tenants. This fine result is a credit to their hard work."
Yvonne Davies, Audit Commission Head of Housing and Economic Development for the North, said: “Sheffield Homes has maintained the high standards of housing services it set in 2005. Services are generally strong across the board. It has introduced new ways of involving and empowering tenants in deciding how to deliver services. The vast majority of customers are satisfied with the standard of services provided. The company has strong and effective leadership with a positive track record of improving services.”
Sheffield Homes’ strengths included:
- Customers can access services easily and quickly.
- Leaflets and the website provide high quality information.
- Services are adapted to meet customer needs and to provide additional support for vulnerable people.
- Aids and adaptations are provided quickly.
- More than 33,000 homes have been improved.
- Repairs are carried out promptly.
- Nearly all properties have a valid gas safety certificate.
- Anti -social behaviour is responded to quickly, sensitively and appropriately.
- Estates are clean and tidy.
- Low costs combine with high service quality and customer satisfaction.
The full report and press release from the Audit Commission can be downloaded below.
201006 - Sheffield Homes - Final Report (397 Kb) .pdf
Sheffield Homes Inspection Report PR FINAL (24 Kb) .pdf