A founding member of JV North has been made the consortium’s lead partner for Homes England.
Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, one of seven registered providers to form JV North 14 years ago, has taken over the role from Jigsaw Homes Group.
The change will see it manage all financial matters and receive grant income from Homes England on behalf of 12 housing association and local authority members.
Other duties include distributing funding, creating management and year-end accounts, budgeting, and forecasting.
Catherine Phillips, assistant director of Finance at Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, said: “We are very proud to have become JV North’s lead partner at such an important time, with members beginning to draw down grant for the 2021/26 Affordable Homes Programme.
“Over the past few months we have worked in partnership with Jigsaw’s finance team to ensure a smooth handover, and we would like to thank them for their help making it such an easy process.
“The new grant agreement has now been signed, with Homes England providing members with a great opportunity to access millions of pounds of income to help build more homes and collaborate in key areas such as net-zero building and high-quality, well-designed modular housing.”
JV North members are already in the process of delivering against the new five-year programme, with 522 homes underway.
‘Build even more vital homes’
JV North chair Wayne Gales said: “Wythenshawe Community Housing Group has been a central part of JV North from the outset and our membership was unanimous in appointing them as the new lead partner.
“Jigsaw did an outstanding job for the consortium over many years, and I would like to say thank you on behalf of the consortium for the professionalism and expert guidance provided.
“Moving forward, we are really looking forward to working with Catherine and her team.
“The official signing of the new grant agreement and the completion of our new £560m framework in the summer means everything is in place for members to press ahead in the new development programme to build even more vital homes in our communities.”
JV North members are investing £475m in the 2016/21 Shared Ownership Affordable Homes Programme alongside £150 million of Homes England grant to build over 4,550 units.
Consortium members include:
- Bury Council
- Johnnie Johnson Housing
- One Manchester
- Peaks and Plains Housing Trust
- Muir Group
- Plus Dane Housing
- Sovini, Stockport Homes
- Torus
- Trafford Housing Trust
- Weaver Vale Housing Trust
- Wythenshawe Community Housing Group
Image: Wayne Gales, JV North chair and Weaver Vale Housing Trust CEO
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