Praise for housing provider after critical 2010 report

Huddersfield-based Sadeh Lok social housing assocation was criticised two years ago in a damning report by the regulatory body, the Tenant Services Authority.

Bosses say that the organisation has undergone a “major transition” to secure its finances.

Two years ago it was facing losses of £2m but is now looking to invest more than £1m this year in its housing stock. It owns and manages more than 1,000 homes, most of them in Kirklees.

The new report from the TSA is due to be publicly released later this week but bosses at the Sadeh Lok yesterday quoted some of its contents.

In its report, the Tenant Services Authority says: “This assessment upgrades the provider’s previously published performance rating.

“The judgement for viability is upgraded because the provider has satisfactorily addressed its short and medium term funding requirements and has a business plans that demonstrates it can meet its funder’s covenants.

“The judgement for governance is upgraded because the provider has demonstrated that fundamental improvements have taken place in the way it is governed.

“The board and executive have demonstrated leadership (and) addressed the TSA’s concerns. The group’s business plan is fully funded through to March 2016. Sadeh Lok is now concentrating on its core business of social housing.”

The report assessed Sadeh Lok as being “viable” and “properly governed”. Sadeh Lok said a new management team had been brought in and the number of staff reduced.

Sadeh Lok chief executive Paul Dolan, who took over the post last year, said: “This report from the Tenant Services Authority is very welcome news indeed. It is in stark contrast to its 2010 findings.

“Since that publication we have had to make some very tough decisions, but they were made to get us back on a firm financial footing, which we have achieved.

“Throughout a difficult couple of years, we’ve never lost sight of our tenants, and we have continued to maintain strong dialogue with them.”

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