How Housing Associations Make Things Happen

Case Study: Berinsfield Community Business

Soha Housing is part of a group of housing associations called PlaceShapers. Between the 70 member organisations, we own nearly half a million homes and provide services to over a million people. A recent report shows how PlaceShaper members give support and community value through 'localism'. Berinsfield Community Business (BCB), a company started and supported by Soha, was featured in the report as an inspirational case study.

What is Localism?

The principles of localism go back over 150 years to the start of the housing association movement. Localism is all about working with communities to improve their homes, health, opportunities and aspirations. The BCB is a successful example of how localism works. Soha gave grant funding to help set the company up in 2002. It is now self-sustaining, with property maintenance and property management contracts from Soha and other organisations. The company now turns over £300K and employs 8 staff.

What does the BCB do?

Property services - including Housing Management, Painting, Decorating, House Clearance, Locksmith, Light Building Work, Window Cleaning, Contract Cleaning, Domestic Cleaning, Carpet and Floor Cleaning, Void and Builders Cleaning

Grounds services - including Amenity Grass Cutting, Rubbish Clearance, Tree Surgery, Garden Make-Overs, General Gardening & Maintenance, Fencing, Ditch/ mini digger Work, Pruning, including fruit trees, Hedge Cutting, Paving and Litter Picking

What have the benefits been?

• BCB provides local employment and local services, creating 'sticky' money that stays in the area.
• Improvement of the locality through services including tree surgery and grass cutting
• Local management and partnerships with local service providers help the society to stick together
• More people than ever think that Berinsfield is a good place to live and criminal damage/anti-social behaviour have reduced