Knightstone Housing Association is in discussions about taking on 748 homes from Spectrum Housing Group in Bristol, north Somerset and Gloucestershire. In return Spectrum would take on 803 homes from Knightstone in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole. Both associations, which will be consulting tenants on the swap until the end of May, say the move will enable them to provide a more cost-efficient service by operating in smaller geographical areas.
In February 2012, following a six week consultation, Knightstone took over ownership and management of 677 residential units in Somerset in exchange for Sovereign Housing Association taking on responsibility for 758 homes in Swindon and Wiltshire.
The exchange was part of Knightstone’s “Take on the Future” strategic review plan, the aim of which is to consolidate local services across nine local authorities and to offer increased local management of homes.
“Part of our plan is to invest more in supporting neighbourhoods so they are places people continue to want to live," said Knightstone chief executive Nick Horne.
Knightstone reported in February that it had plans for new affordable homes and that it planned to develop 1,500 new homes for rent and sale in Somerset and the West of England in the next five years.
