Sanctuary Housing

Last updated

Sanctuary Housing
Type Housing association
Headquarters Worcester, England
FieldHousing
Parent organization
Sanctuary Group
Website www.sanctuary.co.uk OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Sanctuary Housing is a large housing association based in Worcester, England. It is part of the Sanctuary Group, which also includes other organisations such as Sanctuary Care (running more than 100 care homes), Sanctuary Students (accommodation), Sanctuary Supported Living, Sanctuary Scotland (social housing) and Sanctuary Homes (development). [1]

Contents

Housing

Sanctuary's "The Orchards", Worcester Sanctuary - 17072023 The Orchards Development Worcester 059.jpg
Sanctuary's "The Orchards", Worcester

Sanctuary manages 120,000 properties in the United Kingdom, [2] with around 250,000 residents. Sanctuary is a trading name of Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity in England and Wales. [3]

Sanctuary Homes received a £3.4 million grant from the Scottish Government in 2019, to finance housing developments in Paisley, Renfrewshire. [4]

Sanctuary runs a supported living operation for more than 500 people with learning disabilities. [5]

Since 2016, Sanctuary has been redeveloping the former Glasgow Victoria Infirmary as The Victoria, including into 209 homes. [6] [7]

Mergers

Cornwall Council's Cornwall Care was absorbed into Sanctuary, who also acquired the council's care homes, in June 2022, [8] and Swan Housing Association became a Sanctuary subsidiary, with a view to a full merger in future, in February 2023. [9]

A proposed merger with Southern Housing Group was abandoned in April 2021. [10] Johnnie Johnson Housing, which manages nearly 5000 properties in the north and midlands of England, became a subsidiary of Sanctuary in 2024. [11]

Management, housing standards and severe maladministration

Sanctuary was the subject of a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary in March 2019 in which tenants complained about various issues including damp, woodworm and flooding. The episode was titled "New Landlords from hell" [12]


The Inside Housing website reported that a Sanctuary director claimed that investigations by regulators into issues arising from the documentary found no breaches of standards. [13]

Sanctuary was attacked in the House of Commons in July 2019 by Mark Francois MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, who said it was ‘highly dysfunctional’ and had “consistently provided a poor maintenance service to many of my constituents over a period of many years”. Shortly after this Rochford District Council, which is Conservative controlled, issued a joint statement with the association in which it said it had worked “successfully” with the association for 12 years. [14]

The Housing Ombudsman has found multiple cases of severe maladministration by Sanctuary.

COMPLAINT 202107263 (report date March 2023) involving severe maladministration in relation to damp and complaint handling [15]

COMPLAINT 202224898 (report date October 2023) involving severe maladministration in relation to damp and complaint handling [16]

COMPLAINT 202216547 (report date November 2023) involving severe maladministration in relation to a leak and complaint handling [17]

In December 2023 Michael Gove (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities) wrote to Sanctuary's CEO about the cases of severe maladministration found by the Housing Ombudsman. [18]

In March 2024 Sanctuary reported on its own review into two cases of severe maladministration [19]

Sanctuary publish complaint statistics in 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, they note that the ombudsman found 13 cases of severe maladministration and 50 cases of maladministration [20]

Empty Homes

In March 2024 concerns were raised that Sanctuary has 250 empty homes in East Cambridgeshire. [21]

Pay Disputes

In April 2024 workers from Sanctuary Housing staged walk-outs over a pay dispute. [22]


Sustainability

Along with four other housing associations – Abri, Anchor Hanover, Home Group and Hyde – Sanctuary is part of the Greener Futures Partnership (GFP). The GFP collectively owns 300,000 homes and members collaborate to improve energy efficiency and develop decarbonisation solutions. [23]

Racism

In 2020, Sanctuary was accused of treating a black woman, Selma Nicholls (the CEO of a talent agency), unfairly compared with her white neighbour. Nicholls was paying up to £1,000 more per month than her white neighbour for an identical property. Nicholls was refunded £30,000 for the overpayment, This is a clear act of racism within the company. [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Ombudsman</span> Ombudsman for the European Union

The European Ombudsman is an inter-institutional body of the European Union that holds the institutions, bodies and agencies of the EU to account, and promotes good administration. The Ombudsman helps people, businesses and organisations facing problems with the EU administration by investigating complaints, as well as by proactively looking into broader systemic issues. The current Ombudsman is Emily O'Reilly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peabody Trust</span> Housing association based in London, England

The Peabody Trust was founded in 1862 as the Peabody Donation Fund and now brands itself simply as Peabody. It is one of London's oldest and largest housing associations with over 100,000 homes across London and the home counties. It is also a community benefit society and urban regeneration agency, with a focus on placemaking, stewardship and a provider of an extensive range of community programmes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Financial Ombudsman Service</span> United Kingdom independent complaints body

The Financial Ombudsman Service is an ombudsman in the United Kingdom. It was established in 2000, and given statutory powers in 2001 by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, to help settle disputes between consumers and UK-based businesses providing financial services, such as banks, building societies, insurance companies, investment firms, financial advisers and finance companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman</span> UK government agency

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) comprises the offices of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (PCA) and the Health Service Commissioner for England (HSC). The Ombudsman is responsible for considering complaints by the public that UK Government departments, public authorities and the National Health Service in England have not acted properly or fairly or have provided a poor service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman</span>

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO), legally the Commission for Local Administration in England and formerly known as the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO), investigates complaints from members of the public about councils and some other some other authorities and organisations providing public services in England. It also investigates complaints about registered adult social care providers. It is the last stage of the complaints process, for people who have given the council or provider opportunity to resolve the issue first. It is a free service. Similar duties are carried out by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman and the Northern Ireland Ombudsman. The current (interim) Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is Paul Najsarek, whose appointment commenced on 1 April 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Office of the Ombudsman (Hong Kong)</span>

The Office of Ombudsman is a Hong Kong statutory authority, established on 1 March 1989, charged with ensuring that Hong Kong is served by a fair and efficient public administration that is committed to accountability, openness and quality of services. It operates mainly by investigating and giving recommendations to government departments.

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) is the organisation that handles complaints about public services in Scotland. The Ombudsman service is independent of government and with a duty to act impartially.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an independent statutory body in Ireland charged with overseeing the Garda Síochána, the national police force. It is a three-member body established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to deal with complaints from members of the public about the conduct of Gardaí.

The office of the NI Ombudsman, now known as the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO), was first established in Northern Ireland in 1969. The role of an independent ombudsman was originally created as a response to the Northern Ireland civil rights movement, and complaints of institutional bias and discrimination in the areas of housing and jobs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lambeth London Borough Council</span> Local authority in Greater London, England

Lambeth London Borough Council, which styles itself Lambeth Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Lambeth in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of the 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 2006. The council meets at Lambeth Town Hall in Brixton and has its main offices at the nearby Civic Centre.

The Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario is an independent office of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario.

Ann Abraham is a public servant who was the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and Health Service Commissioner for England between 2002 and 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Property Ombudsman</span> British ombudsman for property disputes

The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme is an ombudsman in the United Kingdom. It has been providing consumers and property agents with an alternative dispute resolution service since 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967</span> United Kingdom legislation

The Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council</span> Local authority in London, England

Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council, which styles itself Hammersmith and Fulham Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 2014. The council's usual meeting place is at Hammersmith Town Hall.

Deborah Glass is an Australian lawyer, who was the Victorian Ombudsman between March 2014 and March 2024., when she was succeeded by Marlo Baragwanath.

Peter Tyndall is a former Irish public servant who served as the Ombudsman and the Information Commissioner of Ireland from 2013 to 2021.

Oranga Tamariki (OT), also known as the Ministry for Children and previously the Ministry for Vulnerable Children, is a government department in New Zealand responsible for the well-being of children, specifically children at risk of harm, youth offenders and children of the State. It is the successor agency of the former department, Child, Youth and Family (CYF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federal Tax Ombudsman (Pakistan)</span> Pakistani government agency

The Federal Tax Ombudsman evaluates complaints against federal tax agencies. Article 37 of the Constitution of Pakistan calls for inexpensive and expeditious justice. The Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance of 2000 and the Federal Ombudsman Institutional Reforms (FOIR) Act of 2013 confer powers, including administrative and financial autonomy. This aligns with the separation of Pakistan's judiciary and executive branches in accordance with the Constitution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death of Awaab Ishak</span> UK death of a child from indoor mould

Awaab Ishak, a two-year old child living in a one-bedroom flat at the Ilminster block on Rochdale's Freehold estate, died in December 2020 as a result of a severe respiratory condition. In 2022, a coroner at Rochdale coroner's court ruled that this was caused by prolonged exposure to black mould in his home which had "inadequate ventilation and was not equipped for normal day-to-day living activities which led to excess damp and condensation". Awaab's death led to a change in the law, known as "Awaab's Law".

References

  1. ↑ "Sanctuary Group - companies and legal entities". Sanctuary Group. Archived from the original on 28 April 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  2. ↑ "About Sanctuary". Sanctuary. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  3. ↑ "Sanctuary Housing, registered charity no. 259013". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
  4. ↑ "New homes mark first step in regeneration of Paisley's West End". Scottish Housing News. 17 July 2019. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  5. ↑ "People with learning difficulties are trapped in hospitals. They need more appropriate housing". Inside Housing. 8 July 2019. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  6. ↑ Walker, Peter A. (7 December 2021). "Cruden wins £43 million contract to redevelop Glasgow's Victoria Infirmary". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  7. ↑ Stewart, Catriona (16 August 2016). "Victoria Infirmary: Final look inside the haunting halls of Glasgow's most imposing building". Evening Times . Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  8. ↑ Vergnault, Olivier (29 June 2022). "Council confirms sale of 16 care homes". Cornwall Live. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  9. ↑ Turner, Liam (8 February 2023). "Swan Housing officially joins Sanctuary as a subsidiary". Housing Digital. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "Merger plans to create UK's largest housing association abandoned". Inside Housing. 30 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  11. ↑ Lloyd, Michael (4 March 2024). "Johnnie Johnson Housing joins Sanctuary as a subsidiary". Social Housing. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  12. ↑ "New Landlords from Hell". IMDb. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  13. ↑ "Regulator 'found no breaches' following Dispatches programme on Sanctuary". Inside Housing. 26 June 2019. Archived from the original on 29 June 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  14. ↑ "MP attacks 'highly dysfunctional' housing association in Commons". Inside Housing. 22 July 2019. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  15. ↑ "Case Report: Sanctuary Housing" (PDF). Housing Ombudsman. 30 March 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  16. ↑ "Sanctuary Housing Association, Case Reference 202224898". Housing Ombudsman. 31 October 2023. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  17. ↑ "Case Report: Sanctuary Housing Association" (PDF). Housing Ombudsman. 14 November 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  18. ↑ "Sanctuary Housing Association letter" (PDF). UK Government. 8 December 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  19. ↑ "Independent Housing Ombudsman Review" (PDF). Housing Ombudsman. 26 March 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  20. ↑ "Sanctuary Complaint Insight Report for 2023-24" (PDF). Sanctuary Housing. 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  21. ↑ "MP Lucy Frazer Reveals Sanctuary Housing Association Has 250 Empty Homes in East Cambridgeshire". Cambs News. 18 March 2024. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  22. ↑ "Sanctuary Housing Workers in Hackney Go on Strike Over Pay". Hackney Gazette. 4 March 2024. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  23. ↑ Heath, Lucie (9 April 2021). "Major housing associations form partnership to improve energy efficiency of 300,000 homes". Inside Housing. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  24. ↑ White, Nadine (18 November 2020). "Black tenant is repaid £30,000 after being wrongly charged more rent than white neighbour". huffingtonpost.co.uk. BuzzFeed, Inc. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.