Local MP, Maria Miller, recently met Basingstoke’s two largest housing associations, Sovereign and Vivid. Maria met with the Chief Executives of both organisation – Mark Washer of Sovereign, and Mark Perry of Vivid – to discuss the impact of the pandemic on their services and the actions and additional resources being deployed to address repair backlogs.
Maria said: “The pandemic has been a challenging time for housing associations. More people have spent more time at home, there have been staff shortages, difficulties accessing properties for workmen, and supply chain issues. All of these factors have contributed to an increased demand for call-out services of around 25%, whilst simultaneously experiencing greater impediments to providing those services. I know from residents that some repairs have been delayed and reports of problems with damp and mould have increased.
“Its important to hear from both Sovereign and Vivid that they are dedicating significant extra money to restore services to full capacity, which is now the case, and clearing the inevitable backlog of repair issues moving forward. Each Housing Associations has invested around £5million across their services to help tackle these repairs.
“Both organisations have stressed they are also working hard to help tenants manage social problems and rent arrears that have accrued as a result of disruption to people’s livelihoods during the pandemic. For example, Sovereign have seen a 50% drop in evictions from pre-pandemic levels following policy changes, whilst Vivid have partnered with Solent and Southern NHS Trust to boost their mental health support to tenants.
“There is still a way to go to recover from the long-lasting impacts of the pandemic, I will be monitoring progress closely and pay tribute to the hard work of Sovereign and Vivid staff in support of Basingstoke residents during these difficult times.”