Leeds office closed today

Please note our Leeds office is closed today but our phone lines remain open as normal.

If you need to contact a member of the 54North Homes team, please call T: 0345 5211993 or E: hello@54northhomes.co.uk 

 

New Tenant Satisfaction Measures

Feedback from our customers is very important to everyone at 54North Homes.
We need to know what we're doing right, what we're getting wrong and where we can improve.
From April, the Regulator of Social Housing is introducing performance measures called Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs). These measures aim is to hold housing providers to account for their actions and give customers greater visibility of their performance.

Temporary closure of our waiting list

With effect from 1st March 2023 the 54North Homes (formerly Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association) Housing Waiting List, known as “Choose Your Home” will be closing temporarily to new applicants.
We will re-open our waiting list at a future date once we have completed the migration of our computer systems and a review of our policy.

Rent review letters

You will shortly receive your annual rent review letter through the post which sets out what your rent and service charge amounts will be from 1st April 2023. 

An update about our transition to 54North Homes

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association has now joined with York Housing Association to become 54North Homes (as of 16 December 2022).

You will start to see our new logo and branding cropping up on correspondence from us, on our team’s uniforms, vans etc. We will also be developing a brand-new website too, but for the time being please continue to use this website and portal to search for a new home, pay your rent, report a repair etc.

You will hear more from us about 54North Homes early in the new year.

Condensation and damp

There is nothing more important than you and your family’s health.

Damp and mould can be very upsetting, bad for your health and for your home.
It is often just caused by condensation and there are many steps (listed below) that you can take to help with this. But sometimes it can be the result of a problem with the building, such as a leak, so we do need to know. We can then send out a surveyor to visit your home, diagnose the problem and undertake any necessary remedial action.

Supporting you with the rising cost of living

Times are tough right now and the rising cost of living is hitting people hard. We are committed to doing all we can to support you if you are struggling financially and have created a dedicated section on this website setting out lots of sources of support which may be helpful to you, along with some money saving tips. Please click here

Our new Sustainability Report 2022

We are pleased to publish our LYHA Sustainability Report 2022 and SRS Data Release which set out how we operate sustainably and aim to be socially responsible in everything we do.

Beware cold callers offering to help you claim money

Disreputable claims management companies, often claiming to be from ‘the housing’ or working on the landlord’s behalf, are increasingly approaching social housing customers offering to ‘help them claim compensation for repairs not carried out’. In reality, these companies are not trying to help others but to make money for themselves. The legal action that ensues can end up being very stressful and costly for customers, some of whom are elderly or vulnerable, who end up receiving little, if anything, financially at the end of the legal action.

Annual Report to Customers 2021-2022

Copies of our Annual Report to Customers 2021-22 have been posted out to all our residents.

The report provides an overview of our work over the last year and our plans for the future. You can also view a digital version of the report here.

Understanding of the impact the cost-of-living crisis

We have recently commissioned some independent research to gain a greater understanding of the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on our customers. The findings will help us to channel our support and resources where you need it most.

If you are interested in taking part, please email Simon Williams: info@serviceinsights.co.uk and he will explain the various ways you can provide feedback. All responses will be anonymous.

Exciting news for the future of LYHA

We are sending out communication to all our customers this week about exciting news for the future of LYHA.

You may remember that we wrote to you a few months ago asking your views on a proposal to join with York Housing Association, a subsidiary of Karbon Homes Group, to form a combined 3,000-home Yorkshire-based housing provider.

Get involved

Listening to customer feedback is key to improving what we do. We'd love to encourage more customers to get involved in decision making here at LYHA, whether by joining our Customer Experience Committee or giving us your feedback on ideas and improvement projects. If you think you would be interested in getting involved, please complete this form and we'll be in touch.

Have your say regarding social housing quality

We're supporting the independent Better Social Housing review panel set up by the National Housing Federation and Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) to provide recommendations regarding social housing quality. Find out more here.

You can have your say and share your experiences by completing this short survey: Have your say – The Better Social Housing Review

 

Reconnecting with Customers

We are committed to improving your customer experience by listening to you, our customers, and acting on what you tell us. Over the last year we have conducted customer focus groups, consultation events and regular surveys. Your feedback from these is now shaping big changes to how we deliver our services to you, including reshaping our Neighbourhoods Team to provide a more hands-on service. To find out more, click here.

Summer holiday activities central/east Leeds

Looking for ways to entertain the little ones the summer 6 weeks' holidays? Check out this list of activities and entertainment in the Burmantofts, East End Park, Richmond Hill & Osmondthorpe areas of Leeds.

Kids eat free this summer holidays

Looking for cost effective ways treat the little ones without spending a fortune this summer?

All these places have kids eat free or for £1 deals over the 6 weeks summer holidays. 
See full list of deals.

 

Have your say on the future of LYHA

We are currently asking for customers' views on a proposal for Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association to join with another similar Yorkshire-based housing provider - York Housing Association - and together operate as a Yorkshire based subsidiary of the Karbon Homes Group. We are excited about this proposal and believe it would benefit our customers in many ways. However, we would like you to have your say......

LYHA - Homes for Ukraine

The Government has announced the Homes for Ukraine scheme and provided more information about how this scheme works.

We understand there may be interest among customers to take part in this scheme. The Government scheme advises that:

Right to buy announcement

As you may be aware, the government has recently announced an extension to the ‘Right to buy’ scheme to housing association customers. We don’t know the detail of how this will work yet and are awaiting more information. However, you can find out more in the meantime by visiting: Right to buy extension to make home ownership possible for millions more people - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Proposed changes at Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association

We wanted to update you on some proposed future changes at Leeds and Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA). 

New postcode search to find your local LYHA team

It's now easier than ever to find your local LYHA team where you live. This includes your Neighbourhood Officer, your Income Officer and your Property Surveyor and how they can each help you.

Simply insert your postcode here and it will bring up your key contacts.

Scam awareness: find out how to protect yourself

Anyone can fall victim to a scam. Unfortunately they are increasingly common and can be very distressing both emotionally and financially.

Have your say

The Regulator of Social Housing makes sure that landlords, such as LYHA, are providing quality homes. They are currently asking for feedback about changes to customer satisfaction measures.

Safety is our top priority

Please help to keep everyone safe by cancelling any appointments in or around your home if you or anyone in your household:

- Is displaying COVID symptoms
- Has tested positive for COVID on either a PCR or lateral flow test
- Is awaiting test results
- Is self-isolating

Read our latest news in our Winter 2021 newsletter

Please read our Winter Newsletter for details of our Christmas Opening hours and support and advice this winter, should you need it.

New Repairs Handbook

We are actively working to improve our repairs service to customers.
As part of this drive we have developed a new Repairs Handbook which sets out how to report a repair and the timescales and service commitments that you can expect from the LYHA team and contractors working on our behalf. 

We are looking for two apprentices to join our team

We are recruiting for two exciting Apprentice roles in our Neighbourhoods and Property Services teams.

Our new Sustainability Report

We have just launched our first Sustainability Report outlining how we foster sustainability in our homes and communities and LYHA's ongoing commitment to socially responsible working practices. To find out more, you can read the report here.

Reconnecting with Customers

We are contacting all LYHA customers over the next 2 months to reconnect following the end of lockdown.  The Covid-19 pandemic has had such a massive impact on everyone. We want to stay in touch, check on wellbeing and update some details so we can provide the best possible service in the future. 

All households we speak to will be entered into a Christmas prize draw. 

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association appoints new board members

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA) is delighted to appoint two new board members, Jeremy Earnshaw and Haroon Rashid, who both bring a wealth of experience and skills, particularly in the fields of audit and finance.

Our new Annual Report to Customers 2020/21

Our 2020/21 Annual Report to Customers is being posted through letterboxes this week. Read how we've continued to make improvements to our service and invested in your homes and communities over the last year.

You can also read an online copy here: Annual Report to Customers 2020/21

Win a Nintendo Switch, Fitbit or Amazon Echo just by checking and updating your contact details

All through October we are running a competition to encourage customers to use our online myLYHA portal to ensure that the data that we hold about you is accurate and up to date. This data helps us to continue to improve our current services and identify new ones based on a clear understanding of the current and future needs of our diverse customer base.

We have moved offices, but not very far

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association has moved to a new location, just around the corner from where we were before.

 

The address for our new Headingley Hub is:
Third Floor
White Rose House
8 Otley Road
Leeds
LS6 2AD

Proud to be supporting TPAS Scrutiny Week

We’re proud to be part of TPAS Scrutiny Week – a subject close to our hearts at LYHA as we continually strive to improve Customer Experience.

Over the last 3 years we have transformed our approach to customer engagement, providing far more opportunities for customers to feedback to us about their ‘lived experience’ and co-create improvements to our services.

The Community Trigger Process

In 2014 the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act introduced specific measures designed to give victims and communities a say in the way that complaints of anti-social behaviour are dealt with. This includes the community trigger or anti-social behaviour case review, which gives victims of persistent anti-social behaviour reported to any of the main responsible agencies (council, police, housing provider) the right to request a multi-agency case review of their case – regardless of which agency is investigating the case. 

Our customer support fund

Helping our customers to thrive in their homes and communities is really important to LYHA but we recognise that some of our customers struggle financially on a day to day basis and have limited reserves to fall back on when the unexpected occurs. 

Repairs

Over the last few months we have been catching up on repairs, following COVID delays.

Our new Improving Customer Experience Strategy

We have launched a new 'Improving Customer Experience' strategy. This is all about listening to you, our customers, understanding your needs and improving the service that we deliver to you. Our vision is 'To ensure all our customers live in a home they love and in a community in which they can thrive' and we want to provide consistently high levels of service to enable you to do this.

How to contact us over Easter....

We will be closed for the Easter Bank Holiday from 5pm on Thursday 14th April until 8.30am on Tuesday 19th April.

If you need to report an urgent repair during this time, please contact our emergency out-of-hours service on T: 0113 2783335. Otherwise, please call us once we reopen or email: info@lyha.co.uk

Please remember to update your Universal Credit Journal

If your receive Universal Credit you will need to login to your UC Journal: https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit from 1st April and update it with your new rent amount that we wrote to you with in February.

Our complaints policy

LYHA aims to continuously improve the customer experience which we do by listening to and acting on customer feedback. You can now make a complaint or give a compliment via this website.

Pharmacies launch codeword scheme to support victims of domestic abuse

Victims of domestic abuse can now access support safely & discreetly by using the codeword 'Ask for Ani' in all Boots stories & any other independent pharmacies throughout the UK displaying the poster in their window.

Debt Awareness Week 2021

It's Debt Awareness Week and we know that many people are finding it harder than ever to make ends meet at the moment. If you're worried about spiralling debts or managing your finances, please take #thefirststep by speaking to one of our Income Officers who provide practical, friendly & non-judgemental support. Here are just a few short, anonymous case studies of people they've recently helped:

Rent review letters

You will have recently received your annual rent review letter through the post. From 1st April 2021 we will be increasing our rents by 1.5% to help us improve our homes and communities and provide better services to you. This increase reflects current government policy and is in line with other housing associations throughout the UK. Your letter will provide an individual breakdown of your new monthly costs.

How will this money be spent?

LYHA is a not-for-profit organisation and all additional rent income will be invested in our homes and communities:

Repairs service update

We are continuing to carry out repairs at this time, in line with government guidance. However, with COVID rates still high, we need to work together to keep everyone safe.

If your repair is not urgent, please think carefully whether the work can wait and you can report it later.

 

National Apprenticeship Week

This week is National Apprenticeship Week and we caught up with our IT Apprentice, Matthew, who joined us last June to hear why he chose to do an apprenticeship and his experience so far:

“I’m really enjoying my role at LYHA. In fact I couldn’t have asked for a better start. I’m working with a really friendly team of people who’ve made me feel very welcome and I’m learning a lot, especially from my manager, who is practically demonstrating things and answering my questions.

International Women's Day 2021

My career in housing began in the mid 1990’s, my first ‘proper’ job out of university. I worked for The Housing Corporation in an admin role, managing a portfolio of housing associations; processing paper applications for new schemes and managing cashflows amongst other things. This whet my appetite for development, as the role had given me an insight into the development process and the many challenges that came with it, so I pursued my new found goal of working for a housing association and started my career in development which has now spanned more than two decades!

Reducing our environmental impact

Decarbonisation and tackling climate change is one of the biggest challenges currently facing housing providers and LYHA is firmly committed to being proactive in this area: both by delivering energy efficient, new homes that don’t rely on fossil fuels, and retrofitting our existing homes to ensure that they are as energy efficient and affordable to run as possible.

Save money on your energy costs this winter

Many of us are worried about rising heating costs and energy bills at the moment, especially with the cold weather and the fact that we're all at home a lot more than usual due to current lockdown advice.

LYHA appoints new fire safety equipment contractor

LYHA has appointed DFP Services as our new fire safety equipment contractor to maintain and repair the fire alarms, emergency lighting, smoke vents and fire extinguishers (where fitted) at your scheme.

DFP will carry out planned maintenance checks over and above those carried out by our own LYHA block inspectors and will also come out to check and reset systems in the case of a false activation.

Kickstarting employment for 16-24 year olds

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA) is delighted to be part of the Kickstart Housing Partnership, a nationwide work-placement scheme led by Clarion Housing Group, the UK’s largest provider of affordable housing.

In need of support?

Winter can be a difficult time of year, especially in 2020/21 when we are not able to see friends and family in the usual way. If you are in need of support, please seek help and don't suffer in silence and keep an eye out for any older or vulnerable neighbours.

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing celebrates handing over the keys to new affordable homes

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA) is delighted to be handing over the keys to 12 new-build apartments in Leeds, just in time for Christmas.

The beautifully designed homes have been built by Redrow and are situated on the popular new ‘Hawthorns’ estate in Whinmoor, Leeds. The affordable housing, managed by LYHA, comprises three one-bed and nine two-bed apartments with gardens, parking and lots of open, green space outside. The ground-floor apartments also have walk-in showers and there is lift access to the first and second floors.

Our new Annual Report to Customers

Our 2019/20 Annual Report to Customers is being posted through letterboxes this week. Read how we've continued to make improvements to our service and invested in your homes and communities over the last year.

You can also read an online copy here: Annual Report to Customers 2019/20

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association retains G1 V1 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing following IDA

We are very pleased to announce that the Regulator of Social Housing has today published its regulatory judgement announcing that Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA) has retained its G1 V1 rating following an IDA (in depth assessment). This is the highest governance and financial viability rating awarded.

Keeping you safe and providing support in the new lockdown

As you will know, the government has announced a second national lockdown (beginning 4th November). This is a worrying and challenging time for us all and we want to reassure you that we are committed to doing everything we can to support you. The government advice is that we can continue to provide our current services (including repairs and new lettings) and our focus is on ensuring we deliver these services safely. Our customers’ and colleagues’ health will always come first.

IIP Silver Success for LYHA

We are delighted to have been awarded the Investors in People (IIP) Silver Award.  The accreditation recognises the considerable progress we've made over the last two years in improving our service to customers and transforming our working culture. Amongst the comments in the assessor’s report were:

New housing association partnership sets five devolution ambitions for West Yorkshire

A group of housing associations has today published a prospectus outlining detailed proposals on how to provide more homes and improve lives across West Yorkshire as the region prepares to choose its first metro mayor.

LYHA appoints GTD as lead repairs and maintenance contractor

Continually improving our repairs service is very important to us and listening to customer feedback, we know that you agree. We therefore decided to retender our repairs contract, with our Customer Scrutiny Panel playing a key role in the selection process to ensure that customers’ views were taken into account.

New Leeds lockdown restrictions

Leeds has now been placed under stricter restrictions to try and slow the spread of Covid.

Our New Corporate Plan - Together 2023

We are delighted to announce the launch of the new LYHA Corporate Plan - Together 2023

It's called "Together 2023" because our approach is all about collaboration and partnership, listening and acting on what you tell us so that we can improve the customer experience. It sets out how we will continue to improve what we do and our ambitious plans for the future, as well as our new vision, mission, values and objectives. 

We hope that you'll take a look at the plan yourself by clicking on the links below to:

Working towards a greener country #HomesAtTheHeart

Decarbonisation and tackling climate change is one of the biggest challenges currently facing housing providers and LYHA is firmly committed to being proactive in this area: both by delivering energy efficient, new homes that don’t rely on fossil fuels, and retrofitting our existing homes to ensure that they are as energy efficient and affordable to run as possible.

Prestigious honour for LYHA board member, Liz Sandwith

We are delighted that Liz Sandwith, LYHA Board Member and Chair of our Audit and Risk Committee, has been awarded this year’s prestigious JJ Morris Distinguished Service Award by the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).  The award recognises her outstanding service and dedication to the profession of internal auditing and is made annually by the IIA’s Council of Directors. She commented: “Receiving such an prestigious award is a great honour”.

New apartments for over 55s

LYHA is working with Redrow to build 12 fantastic, new apartments for over 55s  which will be available for social and intermediate rent later this year. The one and two-bedroom apartments will be located at Redrow’s popular 'The Hawthorns' development just off the Outer Ring Road in Leeds.

Free skills training

LYHA has joined up with Interserve to offer free computer skills training to LYHA customers & their families, friends and neighbours (even if they are not customers themselves).
The course teaches a range of IT and employment skills and is available to start online now. At the end of the course you will receive a certificate in Social and Personal Development Level 1. For further information, please email toni.easter@interserve.com or call 07525 902643.

What makes us different makes us stronger

Recent events, in particular the Black Lives Matter Movement, have shone the spotlight on the continuing prejudice and inequalities facing people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, both here in the UK and throughout the world. I believe that we as an organisation, and as individuals, have a duty to speak up; to take a stand against racism and injustice and ensure that nobody faces discrimination because of their skin colour, race or religion. This extends to our customers, communities, employees and society as a whole.

Delivering Services Safely

As you know the government has recently relaxed some of the lockdown restrictions and has issued guidance to landlords about restarting services. Customers' health and wellbeing will always be our top priority and we are sending out a newsletter to all customers this week to outline how we intend to provide services safely going forward and how to access support if you need it.

Please click here to read it online.

 

May 2020 Customer Bulletin

Read all the latest LYHA news and service updates in our May Customer Bulletin: 

We value your feedback

We are committed to continually improving our service to customers and to do that we need your feedback.

Every quarter, independent research agency (MEL Research) contact a sample of our customers to ask a selection of questions about your experience of our service.

April 2020 Customer Bulletin

Read the latest news about our Coravirus service updates in our April Customer Bulletin

Coronavirus update - current changes to our service

We recognise that this is a very concerning time for everyone with regards to the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on our daily lives. We strongly encourage all our customers to follow the latest government guidance to stay at home (wherever possible) and follow the latest NHS health advice which is continually updated here.  

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association recognised as a 5 Star Employer

LYHA has been recognised as a 5 Star Employer after receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from our employees through independent employee engagement experts WorkBuzz.

In March 2020, WorkBuzz invited all employees at LYHA to provide confidential feedback about their experience working for LYHA, including feedback on Wellbeing and Recognition, the relationship with their manager and day-to-day responsibilities.

Delighted to welcome our newest customers

We're delighted to welcome our new customers who are getting their keys to their new Barnsley homes this week. We hope they'll be very happy. 

Our 54 home Catherine's Walk scheme is now complete, comprising 40 houses, 8 apartments and 6 bungalows. For full details please see our press release.

Blog Post from Niesha Martin - LYHA Housing Officer and Housing Futures Insight Leader

We are thrilled that one of our Housing Officers, Niesha Martin, has been selected by the National Housing Federation to be an Insight Leader for their new 'Housing Futures' innovation campaign. 

Here, in her first blog, she takes us through her hopes for the project and journey to date.

 

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association and partners celebrate the opening of new affordable housing development in Barnsley

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA) and partners have celebrated the official opening of the new Catherine’s Walk affordable housing development in South Athersley, Barnsley, with the new residents excited to get their keys and move in over the coming weeks.

 

Rent reviews explained - what does it mean for me?

We are currently writing to all our customers with their new rent and service charge schedule for the next fiancial year, beginning April 2020. We have produced this customer leaflet to help explain the changes.

You Said, We Did

We are committed to listening to the views of our customers and always value your feedback. We hope these "You Said We Dids" highlight some of the ways we have recently acted on what you've told us to make improvements to our service.

Our latest Annual Report to Customers

Read our Annual Report to Customers 2018/19. Our chance to demonstrate how we have performed over the last year and looked after our homes and communities.

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing appoints Mark Pearson as permanent Chief Executive

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA) has appointed Mark Pearson as permanent Chief Executive, with immediate effect.

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association regains its G1 V1 rating

The Regulator of Social Housing has published its regulatory judgement announcing that Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA) has regained its G1 V1 rating.  The judgement acknowledges how LYHA’s approach to health and safety and risk management has been strengthened over recent months.

Proud to become a dementia friendly organisation

LYHA has pledged to become a dementia friendly organisation and support people with dementia to live well in their communities.

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association creates Forest Classroom for local children

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA) has created an outdoor ‘Forest Classroom’ for pupils at Horsforth Featherbank Primary School in Leeds.

Gas Safety Week

It's Gas Safety Week this week.

Help protect your loved ones by checking your carbon monoxide alarms regularly and always allow our engineers access to your home to carry out our annual landlord gas safety inspection. For further information, please see our Gas Safety Guide for Customers.

August 2019 Customer Bulletin

Read all the latest news from Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association in our August Customer Bulletin.

Change of repairs contractor

We are delighted to announce that we have appointed GTD as our new lead maintenance contractor. From this week they will be undertaking all day to day repairs to our properties.

Fire Risk Assessment Programme 2019/20

As part of our longstanding commitment to protect the health and safety of our customers, we recently carried out full Fire Risk Assessments of all our schemes with shared, internal communal areas (such as an entrance lobby). 

Our new Community Investment Strategy

We have just launched our new Community Investment Strategy, focused on making a positive impact within the communities we serve.

We support UK Housing Fast 2019

We're delighted to come together with other housing providers to support UK Housing Fast 2019, raising money for the Trussell Trust whose nationwide network of foodbanks provide emergency food and support to people experiencing poverty.

Here's our team with our plate pledges and all their generous donations that we've delivered to our local Trussell Trust foodbanks. Three of our managers even went the extra mile and fasted for the day!

April 2019 Customer Bulletin

Read the latest news from LYHA in our April newsletter, please click here

Please complete our annual customer survey

Our annual customer STAR survey will go out to customers from today. Your feedback is really important to us, so please take 5 minutes to complete it. Everyone that responds will be entered into a free prize draw to win up to £125 of high street vouchers. 

We had a really good response rate last year so it would be great to get the same again.

 

Meet our new Health & Safety Block Inspectors

We take our customers' safety very seriously at LYHA and our Health & Safety Block Inspection service starts this week. Andy & Graham will be carrying out weekly fire safety inspections of all our homes which share communal areas. This will include testing fire alarms, safety and detection equipment.

Housing Diversity Day 2019

Diversity has always been at the heart of LYHA’s philosophy.

Our parent organisation was founded back in the 1950s when Britain was still suffering from the effects of World War 2: rationing was still in operation; many areas were devastated from bombing and there was a shortage of homes to house the fast growing ‘baby boom’ population.

Barnsley school children create street names for our latest development

Pupils from Laithes Primary School in Barnsley have named the streets for a new development of affordable housing in Athersley South. The Catherine’s Walk scheme is being developed by Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA) and their construction partner, energy and regeneration specialist, ENGIE. Once completed later this year, it will provide 54 affordable, new homes for families and older people.
 

Cold weather's here: make sure you're prepared

Get yourself prepared for the cold weather with these simple tips. Especially keep a look out for neighbours who are elderly or vulnerable. 

Foodbank donations

Throughout the Christmas period the LYHA team collected over £1,000 of donations for our local Trussell Trust foodbanks. We then did an incredibly 'big shop' and have handed over all the donations to the Leeds North and West foodbank team.

Both staff and Board have contributed generously to making this happen. A big thank you to everyone involved.

Worried about debt?

If you are experiencing money struggles, please don't suffer in silence and let your rent payments lapse.

You can contact one of our Income Officers, Katy Horrigan and Chris Radcliffe, on 0113 278 3335. They will be able to answer your questions and signpost you to sources of support.

Investors in People success

Following the outcome of our recent Investors in People assessment, we are delighted to have been successfully IiP reaccredited. Great to see the report praise the efforts of our whole team in the significant progress we've made this year, and our open & inclusive working culture.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Did you know if you or a friend or family member are on a low income, you could be eligible for the government's Warm Home Discount scheme and receive £140 off your electricity bill this winter. To find out more visit: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

Watch our Burley Lane development take shape

Great time-lapse footage of the building of our Burley Lane development from start to finish: https://youtu.be/JRxpyEcRl7Y

Changes to our telephone system

Following customer feedback, we have worked with our Customer Scrutiny Panel to upgrade our current telephone system. We hope that this change will improve the experience customers receive when making calls to LYHA.

Our contact number remains the same 0113 278 3335. If all of our advisors are busy when you call, you will be placed in a queue and notified of your position in the queue. We will also give you an estimated waiting time.

Universal Credit Advice

Universal Credit (full service) is now live in all the areas where our customers live. If you are unsure about what this means for you, we have produced a short guide and claimant journey map to help you.

There are lots of sources of support including:

www.citizensadvice.org.uk 

Helping to reduce homelessness

The Homelessness Reduction Act comes into force this week. We've signed up to the National Housing Federation's Commitment to Refer to help ensure anyone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless can access help. If you know anyone at risk, please contact your local authority Housing Options and Support Service.

Ground breaking ceremony marks the start of new affordable housing development in Barnsley

Construction of a new affordable housing development in Barnsley has got underway with the breaking of the first ground off Catherine’s Walk in Athersley South.

The honour of breaking the first earth at the site went to Mike Gaskell (Chair of the Board) and Joanna Chambers (Head of Home & Growth) at Leeds & Yorkshire Housing; Councillor Robert Frost (Cabinet Support Member for Place at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council); Nathan Brough, Regional Director for ENGIE’s Places & Communities division; and Richard Panter from Homes England.

Our response to this week's government green paper on social housing

This week’s government green paper on social housing recognises the urgent importance of creating a new supply of affordable homes. National Housing Federation research earlier this year revealed that between 2012 and 2016, nearly 36,000 too few homes were built in Yorkshire and Humber. Housing associations are doing lots of great work to alleviate that. In 2016/17 housing associations delivered over 2,000 new affordable and market-priced homes in Yorkshire and started a further 2,557. Here at LYHA we have an ambitious new-build strategy.

Our latest Customer Bulletin

For all the latest news from Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association, please view our most recent Customer Bulletin here.

If you would like to subscribe to receive this by email, please contact georgina.thompson@lyha.co.uk

Statement - 25th July 2018

As a result of the discovery of past failures in relation to evidencing checks on health and safety matters affecting our tenants’ homes (principally electrical safety testing), Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association has today been formally downgraded by the Regulator of Social Housing from G1 to G2.

 

Planning permission granted for new Barnsley development

We have announced plans to build 54 new homes in Athersley South, in Barnsley.  Planning permission has been granted and work will begin on site in the Summer.  Once completed this will be the largest new-build development that LYHA has undertaken for a number of years and will provide much needed affordable homes for families and older people in an area of acute housing need.

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association appoints Interim Chief Executive

Leeds and Yorkshire Housing Association, announces that Mark Pearson has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive.

Mark has worked at the LYHA as Deputy Chief Executive for 6 months and was previously Assistant Director of Communities and Customer Service at Muir Group Housing Association, having worked in the social housing sector for 21 years. Mark takes over from Chief Executive, Lisa Pickard, who leaves the organisation after 6 and a half years. 

LYHA Chair, Mike Gaskell said:

Celebrating the opening of our latest affordable homes for over 55s

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA) today celebrates the completion and official opening of a new affordable housing development off Burley Lane, in Horsforth.  The £1.8 million scheme comprises thirteen new homes: two 3-bedroom family houses and eleven 2-bedroom apartments for over 55s. These have all been let to local people who were delighted to receive their keys today. 

Annual customer satisfaction survey

Please help us improve our service by completing our annual customer satisfaction survey. This has been emailed out to customers with a reply link. Paper copies have also been sent out by post. All answers are anonymous and confidential.
Complete it and you could win up to £125 in our free prize draw.

 

LYHA awarded Diversity Network Accreditation

We are delighted that Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association has been awarded the Diversity Network Accreditation by the Housing Diversity Network. This recognises our efforts to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work.

New gas servicing & repairs contractor appointed

We are pleased to announce that our new Gas Servicing & Repairs Contractor, Robert Heath Heating Ltd (RHH), has been appointed and they will take over the contract from IDM Contractors Ltd on Tuesday 3rd April. The number for you to call in the event of a repair remains the same on 0113 278 3335.

When your boiler is due for a service, RHH will contact you direct to make an appointment. All RHH operatives will carry ID badges and their vehicles and clothing will have their logo on it.

LYHA Settle Scheme Celebrated at Industry Awards

A £750,000 refurbishment project by Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA), Leeds-based architects, Woodhall Planning and Conservation and Ilkley-based contractor, Dobson Construction Ltd, to create nine affordable apartments within a former Victorian family home in Settle was recognised as a finalist in the Best Affordable Rural Housing Development category at the prestigious Inside Housing Development Awards in London last night.

Customers Undertake Community Safety Review

Following the successful ‘Journey of the Call’ review, our Scrutiny Panel have undertaken their second review of 2017, which was all about community safety and anti-social behavior (ASB). Three customers took an in-depth look at our policies and processes and met with staff who manage ASB at Leeds and Yorkshire Housing Association.
 

St. John's House Officially Opened

St. John’s House, providing 23 high-quality affordable homes within walking distance of Leeds City Centre, has been officially opened by our Chief Executive ​and Councillor Debra Coupar, Executive Member for Communities at Leeds City Council.

Former Victorian family home in Settle now houses nine modern apartments

Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA) has officially reopened Sutcliffe Buildings in Settle, North Yorkshire, following a six month refurbishment project to provide nine apartments for affordable rent.