For North-Lincolnshire-based housing provider Ongo, 2021 will have to be something special if it is to match the successes of the past 12 months
Despite a challenging year, we at Ongo are going into 2021 celebrating one of our most successful 12-month period to date.
Some of our highlights include building 221 new homes for affordable rent, shared ownership, rent to buy and outright sale; introducing new community initiatives; and receiving a governance upgrade.
Financially, we’ve remained strong with a V1 rating, allowing us to not only stay a top employer in the area, but also introduce a range of new, tailored support options to help our tenants through the lockdowns.
More than 10,500 food parcels have been delivered between March and December to tenants who otherwise would have struggled, over 37,000 safe and well calls have been made, keys to new homes have continued to be handed over, and around 12,000 repairs completed.
Our Employment Support team provided advice to over 500 people and helped 179 into work or training. And our mental health service, Ongo Talk, has supported more than 140 individuals since March, our busiest year yet.
“One of the biggest achievements has been reaching our 10,000th home – it was a monumental moment”
“This year has been tough for us all, but I am so incredibly proud of the amazing work that has been achieved, in spite of lockdowns, restrictions, and having to quickly adapt and change our services to make sure we kept ourselves and our tenants and customers safe,” says chief executive Steve Hepworth.
“For me, one of the biggest achievements has been reaching our 10,000th home. It was a monumental moment which was great to be a part of.
“This, along with the continuation of support, community spirit, and togetherness has been fantastic.
“We are of course looking forward to a much more positive 2021, with hundreds of new homes being built, including the completion of the region’s first dementia care scheme.
“We have lots of improvement work planned for many of our existing homes, and as always there will be lots of brilliant things going on in our neighbourhoods.
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to our colleagues and tenants, and I hope to see lots of you in person next year.”
Image: Ongo chief executive Steve Hepworth with staff
Read next: A Sector Together: The story of social housing and COVID-19
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