Sanctuary transfer “fresh start” for former Thistle tenants

Tenants of Glasgow-based Thistle Housing Association had their wish fulfilled after the landlord transferred to Sanctuary Scotland. More than 92% of Thistle tenants who voted in an independent ballot last September supported the transfer to Sanctuary. 

Thistle had been subject to statutory intervention since August 2018 due to serious failures and regulatory breaches. Sanctuary Scotland said that the directed transfer by the Scottish Housing Regulator “marks a new era” for more than 1,800 tenants and factored owners. 

Sanctuary Scotland Director Pat Cahill said: “This is a fresh start for Toryglen, and we believe the beginning of a brighter future for the local community. Having provided operational support to Thistle since March last year, we know the issues people want us to fix. We are taking steps to address these as soon as we can. 

“Our Assets Team is on track to have all of the asbestos in the roof spaces removed by the end of this week. Internal surveys for the kitchen, bathroom and heating replacement programme will be arranged as soon as we’re allowed to enter people’s homes for non-emergency works. Our Estates Team will start maintaining Toryglen’s green space, helping residents keep the area clean and tidy. We’re also about to appoint contractors to improve Toryglen’s public spaces, including neglected backcourts and footpaths, and fix all outstanding issues relating to the mismanaged E.ON contract.  

“We are determined to put things right so the community can move forward together with us.” 

Sanctuary Scotland added that “a longstanding criticism of Thistle was the lack of formal channels for residents to have their voices heard. Some customers did not trust Thistle because of this and a general lack of transparency”. Sanctuary has invited all Toryglen residents to join its Review Panel, a local group with access to Sanctuary’s senior team. Through regular meetings, the panel will be able to influence Sanctuary’s services in Toryglen. The panel will also be tasked with monitoring the delivery of Sanctuary Scotland’s transfer promises. 

Ms Cahill added: “We do all we can to encourage constructive relationships with our residents. We often learn from our conversations with customers and use this learning to improve how we work. 

“Our Review Panel will give Toryglen residents an informed voice, thanks, in part, to our willingness to engage. The panel will be a forum to discuss both the here and now and what residents want in the future.  

“Sanctuary can’t change what happened in the past, but we’ll work with the local community to make Toryglen even better.”