Arklet tenants say yes to merger

Ninety-eight per cent of Arklet tenants have voted for a merger with Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association.  

For more than a year, Arklet Housing Association, which operates in Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire, has been working with Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association to prepare a partnership proposal. Both organisations say they believe they will be “even better together” and can offer all their tenants a better service. Arklet tenants have now voted and have said they agree. From a turnout of 58.6% of tenants, 98% voted for the merger.

Arklet Tenants’ Forum Chair Maggie Lynch said: “The Tenants’ Forum has been fully involved in choosing Hanover, and we encouraged all tenants to vote for the future.

“This is the result we’ve been waiting for – Arklet has been a great landlord for over 50 years, and we know that Hanover will provide the financial stability, continued quality and caring management we want for the next 50 years.”

Arklet said its tenants will begin benefitting from “a fairer, more affordable rent structure”.  Rents and service charges will then be further reviewed over five years to align Arklet’s with Hanover’s. Home improvements will be completed when they’re due, sheltered and amenity housing tenants will have access to home contents insurance from just £2 a week, and opportunities for tenant participation will be expanded. 

Iain Ross Wallace, Arklet’s Chairman, said: “Arklet’s 400 homes and residents will soon be part of Hanover, which will give our staff more career opportunities as well as benefits to our tenants. 

“Arklet began as Glasgow Jewish Housing Association in 1967 to provide local homes for Jewish people displaced by the Gorbals slum clearances. It grew to provide new specialist homes and services for Jewish elders, and it changed into Arklet in 2004 when it widened its services to be accessible to all in housing need. Now it’s a great match for Hanover – with homes in the same areas south of Glasgow, the same culture of personalised service and the same ambitions to be always innovative and inclusive.”

Mike Martin, Chair of Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association, said: “I am delighted that Arklet has chosen Hanover to be its partner as it is clear to me that we share the same values and aspirations. Both organisations will benefit from sharing our skills, knowledge and passion for providing good quality homes with care and support for our residents.

“I am really looking forward to our future together.”