Strengthened focus on community at Muirhouse AGM

Muirhouse Housing Association has pledged to further develop its role as a community anchor to bring tenants, the community, and wider stakeholders together.

That was one of the key messages emerging from the association’s AGM as the membership reflected on the year gone by and were given a brief overview of future plans.

Susan Bell, who was appointed as Chief Executive in April, reflected on the previous year which included the strategic options appraisal outcome.

It concluded that Muirhouse should remain an independent association and seek to create partnerships which can add value to the community it operates within.

Muirhouse said it recognised the ‘challenging’ period endured by so many families due to the cost of living crisis – with the housing association not immune from spiralling costs.

Susan highlighted four future priorities for Muirhouse as it marks its 30th year:

• Improving the local neighbourhood with a renewed focus on making it desirable, safe and attractive
• Muirhouse would “go beyond” the delivery of housing provision reinforcing its role as a “community anchor” to support local people
• The association would strive to deliver the highest level of service possible to tenants and crucially, listen to their views
• Despite rising costs in maintaining housing stock, Muirhouse would not lose sight of the need to deliver energy efficiency in its homes

Susan Bell, Chief Executive at Muirhouse Housing Association, said: “While our core activity remains the provision of good quality housing, we are in no doubt that our role in the community is to make life better for those we serve. That’s why there will be a focus on strengthening our role as the anchor which brings our community together and demonstrating that we will always be on the side of our tenants.”

Chairperson Iain Strachan, in his address, praised those involved with Muirhouse for their commitment and hard work – notably during the pandemic and more recently with the cost-of-living challenge.

He said there had been “huge efforts” made by the board and staff and also thanked tenants and the community for their support.

Demonstrating the wider role activity of the housing association, Iain disclosed that its well-used Financial Inclusion Service had unlocked almost £200,000 of additional financial support for tenants – notably in the claiming of State benefits.

The association had also donated over £8,000 to local organisations and charities further demonstrating its support for the community.