Carlisle Housing Association to be renamed

Carlisle Housing Association has confirmed it is being renamed Riverside Carlisle from 1 April.

The housing association was already part of the Riverside Group, which is based in Speke, Liverpool, but its renaming means a divisional board will be established to ensure local people have a stake in the running of Riverside Carlisle.

The board will consist of Carlisle residents, councillors and other independent members.

Julie Sutherland, marketing communications executive at Carlisle Housing Association, said: "Following a consulting process with Riverside's head office in Speke the amalgamation has been approved to go ahead.

"It will help cut red tape, deliver access to greater resources from a national housing association and provide the opportunity to share best practices from around the UK."

Mike Little, chair of Carlisle Housing Association, said: "It represents a significant milestone in housing provision in Carlisle. We have already delivered our transfer promises and this equips us to move forward as we look to build new homes under challenging circumstances."

Existing staff at Carlisle Housing Association will remain and offices in the area will continue to be used following its renaming in two weeks time.

Deborah Shackleton, chief executive of Riverside, said: "Carlisle Housing Association has consistently high levels of resident satisfaction and the rest of Riverside can learn a lot from the good work done in Carlisle. Amalgamation will bring renewed emphasis on local service delivery and involve local people whilst providing the security of being part of one of the biggest and most financially solid housing providers in the UK."

Carlisle Housing Association was established in 2002 following the transfer of 7,200 homes from Carlisle City Council, which supports the renaming.

Carlisle Housing Association currently looks after just under 6,000 homes.