Gateshead Council has extended The Gateshead Housing Company’s management agreement through to 2020 to allow it to plan longer-term improvements to homes and housing services.

According to Housing News:

The company manages nearly 20,000 council homes across Gateshead and is set to continue providing housing services for a further five years.

Gateshead Council recognised the work the company has done to invest in housing since it was set up in 2004 and highlighted ongoing high levels of customer satisfaction achieved across all of its services.

Gateshead Council’s Cabinet also singled out the support provided by the housing company to over 2,300 tenants affected by changes to welfare reform during 2014 and that this advice and support to tenants is likely to be ongoing with further changes to welfare benefits proposed.

Councillor Malcolm Graham, Gateshead Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The Gateshead Housing Company has a proven track record since 2004 in giving local people good quality housing services.

“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership over the coming years.”

Jon Mallen-Beadle, managing director of The Gateshead Housing Company, said: “We are pleased that Gateshead Council has recognised the work that we have done to improve the borough’s homes and services since 2004.

“We are looking forward to building on our successes of the past 11 years and continuing to work in partnership with Gateshead Council to ensure we provide the best possible services to tenants and leaseholders during these difficult times.

“A new five year plan is currently being developed with Gateshead Council, as well as our Board, employees and customers that will look to shape the long term future of council housing in Gateshead.”