The Cabinet of Sheffield City Council have ratified the appointment of Sanctuary Housing Association as the prospective landlord of 2,800 properties on the Shiregreen Estate, subject to a ballot of tenants. Stock transfer has been recommended as the best way to raise monies for large scale modernisation of the homes on the estate which were built in the 1930s.

Tenants will be balloted on the proposal to transfer their homes later this year. If approved, tenants can expect to see improvements to kitchens and bathrooms, new landscaping works, better parking, and greater community and play facilities. The regeneration project is expected to bring in investment of more than £100m over a six year period. Sanctuary, which is one of the country’s leading housing associations, was chosen from a shortlist of four organisations by a selection panel made up of four tenant representatives, two local ward councillors and two senior council officers.Prior to the selection, tenants were given the opportunity to visit other homes and estates owned and managed by Sanctuary.

The Worcestershire based, not for profit organisation, manages over 36,000 homes in England and Scotland, including sheltered and supported accommodation and has already been chosen as approved landlord for several stock transfers throughout the UK. In Hackney, East London, Sanctuary has carried out a major programme of improvements to over 1,200 homes and the adjoining environment. In Ardler, Dundee, Sanctuary Scotland is now two thirds of the way through a major regeneration programme involving the transfer of some 1500 homes from Dundee City Council.