Merger sees launch of £100m housing group

Housing Plus Group and Stafford and Rural Homes have merged, launching a new housing, care and property group for Staffordshire and Shropshire.

The merged Group includes landlords Severnside Housing, South Staffordshire Housing Association and Stafford and Rural Homes. It also includes Care Plus, the provider of housing care and support for older people and Severn Homes which specialises in private sector housing for rent, sale and shared ownership, along with repairs and planned maintenance specialists Property Plus and Housing Worx.

The Group will own and manage approximately 18,000 homes across a wide operational area. Employing up to 800 people locally, it will have an annual turnover of almost £100m.

Chief executive Sarah Boden said: “Separately, our organisations do fantastic work in our communities. Together, we will do more. We are setting out today with a very clear objective to change lives, shape communities and create real opportunities for the employees who make that possible.”

Housing specialist law firm, Anthony Collins Solicitors, acted as joint adviser on the merger.

Gemma Bell, partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors, said: “This merger is set to have a huge impact at local level. By increasing capacity and sharing skills, Housing Plus Group and Stafford and Rural Homes will be able to expand their services, improving more people’s lives.

“Both organisations share a commitment to putting the community first – a belief that as a firm we echo through our social purpose. We look forward to supporting the Group as it enters this exciting new chapter.”