Latest Updates
Residents' Liaison Officer, Riona Woodman, who will act as the main point of contact for any queries or concerns. We had received some concerns raised regarding the communication between our contractors at the MOT Yard development and our local residents. I have now been assured that all updates and newsletters will be sent to the local residents in advance to advise of any upcoming works that may cause interference. I've also been provided with the details for the on-site. Additionally, a "Meet the Contractor" event will be held in the coming weeks, giving residents the opportunity to engage directly with the team. Please let us know if there are any specific details or areas you would like to cover in these communications.
MOT Yard, St Johns Terrace
02/06/2025 - Sophie Sheekey
Key Achievements 2024/25
Our customers have been vocal in telling us where we do well and also where they expect improvements in service quality. We seek feedback from our customers to shape services and the clear priority for our customers where we have fallen short is in the quality of our homes and the repair service we provide. Our survey to all customers during the summer of 2024 concluded that 71% of our customers were satisfied or very satisfied with the services provided to them. During the year we have made steps to meet the key shortcomings that are the drivers for dissatisfaction and key progress includes:
85% of all homes meeting an EPC C or higher energy efficiency rating.
Invested an additional £1.14m in stock improvements as part of our Healthy Homes/ Stock refresh program.
Invested in additional employees to oversee our health and safety compliance
Improved our day to repair service to ensure over 90% of all repairs are completed on time.
100% of our homes meeting the Decent Homes standard.
Invested £600k in day-to-day repairs
Invested in additional employees to support our IMR customers.
For health and safety compliance we have ended the year on 100% for:
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Gas safety
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Fire risk assessments
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Asbestos
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Lift safety
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Legionella testing
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Electrical testing
We have created and appointed a new Director of Property and Assets to drive overall repair improvements.
Invested £1.2m in major works
Improved our approach to dealing with complaints handling to ensure 90% of all complaints are dealt with on time.
We continue to also develop and build new homes and are delighted to have secured planning permission and finding from the GLA to build 15 new social rented homes in Queens Park
Repairs Scores Are Here
Our scores for repairs this year have seen vast improvement across Responsive Maintenance and Gas. Results can be seen in this table.
If you have feedback from a recent repair and would like to share it with us, please don't hesitate to contact us.
- 09/04/2025
Westminster Housing Compact
The Westminster Housing Compact is a partnership between us and social housing providers aimed at tackling the housing crisis and achieving real outcomes for residents. The group will work together to respond to the significant challenges facing Westminster, tackling homelessness, overcrowding, and improving conditions and services. The partnership will help increase the supply of affordable housing. They will do this by taking joint action on empty homes, collaborating on regeneration initiatives and looking for innovative ways to help registered housing providers build more homes. The Westminster Housing Compact is comprised of the council and the following partner organisations: A2 Dominion Dolphin LivingG London and Quadrant (L&Q) Notting Hill Genesis Octavia Housing Peabody Sanctuary Soho Housing Association Sovereign Network Group Walterton and Elgin Community Homes (WECH) Westminster Community Homes (WCH)
Ebury Bridge
Regeneration Update 12/01/2024
“The first phase of Ebury is almost complete!"
Following the success of negotiating with the remaining leaseholders on the estate, WCH assisted with the rehousing of those lessees. Whether it be away from the estate, or even within the remaining blocks on the estate, this was a huge contribution to achieving site assembly to allow the scheme to move forward. Phase 1 of the new Ebury Bridge Estate is due to complete in late Summer, early Autumn of 2024, now that both towers are fully built. Phase 2 is well underway now that 3 of those buildings was decommissioned and demolished successfully. Out of a total 140 leaseholders originally on the estate, there are now only 3 remaining who will move into Phase 1 once completed. WCH continue to negotiate and provide assistance to those leaseholders where possible.”
Church Street
Regeneration Update 12/01/2024
WCH are working with Westminster City Council (WCC) in their plans for the development of the Church St regeneration site. Our role has been to initiate contact, maintain good working relations and lead the negotiations with leaseholders inside the regeneration area, to acquire these properties and ultimately bring them into WCC’s ownership in advance of the demolition. Lessees are offered a bespoke service which includes developing a positive working relationship: negotiating and agreeing a sale price with the leaseholders and taking them through to successful conclusion of the transaction. I will also assess their re-housing requirements and work together towards the acquisition of a suitable alternative property. The City Council plans for the site are well advanced and a detailed planning application for site A (the first phase of the development) and an outline area application for the later phases B and C was approved in March 2023. This has been followed up with the City Council confirming the use of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) if voluntary agreement cannot be reached with those who have an interest in site A. The confirmation allows for those affected by the CPO to lodge any objections. No objections were raised by the remaining leaseholders although a formal Inquiry is still likely to take place as some commercial interests raised objections to the plans. In site A, WCH has been instrumental in gaining ownership of over 90% of the Leasehold interests. Only three (3) interests remain outstanding and WCH will continue to work with these leaseholders to reach an agreement to acquire their properties without the use of a CPO. There is a steady stream of leaseholders from sites B & C who are selling their properties to us. So, if you are an owner in either of those sites and are interested in selling your property, WCH will purchase your property in advance of any legal action. Any leaseholder owning properties within the regeneration area is entitled to receive a package of compensation, plus the market value of their property. The details explaining the compensation can be found at this link below on the City Council’s website: Leaseholder policy for Housing Renewal Areas | Westminster City Council If you are interested in what is happening at the Church St renewal area, please do contact me. My details are below. I will be happy to address any questions you have, Ian Sellens E: isellens@westminster.gov.uk T: 07790 980127
Ebury Bridge
Regeneration update 14/08/2023
“Vacant possession of Phase 2 at Ebury Bridge has now been achieved! Following the success of negotiating with several remaining leaseholders on the estate, WCH assisted with the rehousing of those lessees. Whether it be away from the estate, or even within the remaining blocks on the estate, this was a huge contribution to achieving vacant possession to allow scheme to move forward. Phase 1 of the new Ebury Bridge Estate is well underway, with both towers fully built. Now that VP of phase 2 has been achieved (which consists of 5 buildings), these buildings can now be decommissioned and demolition works can begin. Out of a total 140 leaseholders originally on the estate, there are now only 3 remaining who are yet to come to an agreement to sell their property back to The City Council. WCH continue to negotiate and provide assistance to those leaseholders where possible.”
Church Street
Regeneration update 14/08/2023
WCH are working with Westminster City Council (WCC) in their plans for the development of the Church St regeneration site. Our role has been to initiate contact, maintain good working relations and lead the negotiations with leaseholders inside the regeneration area, to acquire these properties and ultimately bring them into WCC’s ownership in advance of the demolition. Lessees are offered a bespoke service which includes developing a positive working relationship: negotiating and agreeing a sale price with the leaseholders and taking them through to successful conclusion of the transaction. I will also assess their re-housing requirements and work together towards the acquisition of a suitable alternative property. The City Council plans for the site are advanced and a detailed planning application for site A (the first phase of the development) and an outline area application for the later phases B and C was approved in March 2023. In site A, WCH has been instrumental in gaining ownership of almost all of the Leasehold interests. Only three (3) interests remain outstanding. WCH will continue to work with these leaseholders to reach an agreement and voluntarily acquire their properties. If leaseholders in sites B & C are interested in selling their property, WCH will purchase their property now in advance of any legal action. Any leaseholder owning properties within the regeneration are entitled to receive a package of compensation, plus the market value of their property. The details explaining the compensation can be found at this link below on the City Council’s website: Leaseholder policy for Housing Renewal Areas | Westminster City Council If you are interested in what is happening at the Church St renewal area, please do contact me. My details are below. I will be happy to address any queries you have, Ian Sellens E: isellens@westminster.gov.uk T: 07790 980127
Steve Moore Retires
Steve was the founder of Westminster Community Homes back in 2008 and was the driving force behind many of the decisions that have made us the well established Housing Association that we are today.
He has enabled hundreds of families to be rehoused in quality accommodation through the purchase of hundreds of property acquisitions as well as 4 standalone blocks producing over 60 flats in Westminster for use as social housing and Intermediate housing.
Steve's achievements have made a positive impact on so many lives and he will be missed. We wish him the very best for his future.
The team at WCH - 17/05/2023
We know that many of you are worried about the rising cost of living in 2022. We want to provide you with as much support as possible and have a range of practical advice to help. In addition to this, our repairs and maintenance contractor, Morgan Sindall Property Services, will be hosting several support sessions for residents on Energy Awareness. There will be discussions on what to do if you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, how to switch to a better tariff, and how to make sure your home is energy efficient.
Help With Rising Living Costs
Green Doctor Referral
As we balance the rising cost of living with the need to become energy efficient, Green Doctors are here to offer advice for anyone over 65, on a low income or have a long-term health condition or a disability. They can help you to save money on your energy bills, make your home more energy efficient and improve your health.
They will:
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explain how to make your home energy efficient
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install energy saving devices
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offer impartial advice on switching energy providers to save money
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give you income support and debt advice
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connect you with other health services
To make a referral for an initial phone consultation fill in the Green Doctor referral form and they can arrange a visit to your home to assess how they can help you
We Welcome Ian Sellens to the Team
Ian joined the team in September and his position involves negotiating the voluntary acquisition of leaseholder’s homes where they are affected by Westminster City Council regeneration projects.
Ian has 20 years experience working in Housing, including working with residents on sites due for demolition. He now works with leaseholders on to Church Street, a Westminster City Council renewal area to assess their re-housing priorities and work with them to facilitate the acquisition of suitable alternative accommodation. Ian will guide the lessee through the whole process, from advising what options are available through to the move to their new home.