Abri has today announced that they are exploring options for a formal partnership with Octavia Housing.
Wayne Morris, Abri’s Group Chair said:
“We were pleased to be given the opportunity to develop a potential partnership with Octavia. We have enormous respect for their 150-year heritage. Given our adjoining geographies and shared ambition, the partnership offers a potentially strong strategic fit. The deal could unlock greater investment in housing and support services, as well as protect the long-term provision of some 5,000 social and affordable homes in London.”
Octavia’s board chose Abri as its preferred potential partner after an extensive selection process co-ordinated by Savills.
Prior to the final business case, both organisations have agreed to collaborate on some of Octavia’s immediate priorities.
Gary Orr, Abri’s Group Chief Executive said:
“Abri is about leveraging the benefits of scale while delivering services through accountable local teams. When Octavia invited us to be part of discussions about their future, we were attracted to the opportunity to support an organisation that is so important to the housing profession as we navigate the new regulatory framework, has a common purpose that prioritises the needs of existing and future customers, and offers potential synergy within our regional operating model.”
He added: “Joining forces has the potential to create a new vision for an even stronger organisation to carry forward Octavia Hill’s legacy. More work needs to be done but we are excited about the prospect of a long-term partnership with Octavia Housing.”
How does this affect Abri customers?
This will not affect any tenancy or other agreement that you may have with Abri. Your home remains secure providing you maintain your own obligations under that agreement.
If you pay rent or service charge, the way this is calculated will not change and you'll continue to make payments just as you do today. Our obligations to you as a landlord will also be unchanged.
About Octavia
Octavia is another housing association like Abri that has 5,000 homes in London. You can find more information in this document or on Octavia's website.
What are the potential benefits of a partnership with Octavia?
One of the potential benefits of joining forces with Abri is the ability to invest more in customer service so that we can improve the things that matter most to customers.
What happens next?
We've not yet made the decision to partner with Octavia. because we want to give customers the chance to have their say first. And we'll listen very carefully before we make our final decision.
We expect to say more about this in a few months’ time when we will seek views on our plans.
In the meantime, we will work with Abri’s Resident Scrutiny Panel to develop the vision for the partnership and help us ensure that we consult in the right way and when the time is right.