A £30 million housing improvement programme is improving the quality of life for housing association tenants, according to an AM.
Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders was speaking after she officially opened Cartrefi Conwy’s new area office in Llandudno.
The office has moved from its old home in the Town Hall to newly-refurbished premises in Madoc Street.
Cartrefi Conwy was created nearly three years ago when the organisation became the landlord of 3,800 houses and flats previously owned and run by Conwy County Borough Council.
As a result, all of the properties are being brought up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard and the massive improvement programme is on course to be completed next year.
It’s estimated the scheme is injecting £150 million into the local economy and creating more than 300 jobs in Conwy.
Mrs Finch-Saunders, is also a member of Conwy Council, and was involved in the decision to allow tenants to vote for the stock transfer.
She admitted there were initial misgivings about the move but said that the success of Cartrefi Conwy had surpassed all expectations.
Mrs Finch-Saunders added: “I was delighted when I was asked to officially open the new office which is so welcoming and bright. I think residents will feel very comfortable coming here.
“There were some misgivings about the stock transfer but the end product is fantastic,
“I have to say that whilst I’ve been out campaigning I have received positive feedback from residents who are really delighted – they feel part of the journey and part of the process.
“I’m amazed really by how quickly the improvements to the properties have happened.
“It’s fair to say that some of the housing stock was in dire need of renovation and as a Council we could never have achieved this amount of improvement, so I’m absolutely delighted.
“They are improving peoples’ homes and improving their quality of life at the same time. It’s giving tenants a sense of community, a sense of pride, a sense of ownership. I can’t praise it highly enough.”
Andrew Bowden, the Chief Executive of Cartrefi Conwy, was delighted with the new office.
He said: “The staff are saying that the number of tenants coming into the office has greatly increased since moving here. I think it’s because it’s more welcoming, it’s more open, it’s bright and airy.
“It also provides a great working environment for our staff and that’s also important because we want them to feel good about working for Cartrefi Conwy.”
Pam Lonie, Chair of the Board of Cartrefi Conwy, was equally impressed by the design and location of the office.
She said: “What I’ve just said to all the staff is that there is a feel of this being young and bright and new, just like us the organisation. This is a perfect fit for Cartrefi Conwy as a modern, forward thinking housing association.”
