SARH invests £50million to improve customers’ homes

Stafford and Rural Homes has invested tens of millions of pounds to hit a government target for improving its customers’ homes.

SARH has spent more than £50million on improvements including new bathrooms, kitchens and windows in order to meet the Government’s target for Decent Homes.

 Karen Armitage, Chief Executive of Stafford and Rural Homes, said: “To have reached our 100 per cent target for Decent Homes on time and on budget shows the strength of our commitment to providing quality and affordable homes in the borough.”

 To meet the Decent Homes Standard SARH had to ensure its homes were warm, weatherproof and with reasonably modern facilities.

 To achieve the Decent Homes Standard SARH has fitted more than 4,500 new composite doors, 2,000 kitchens and 1,200 bathrooms over the past five years.

 SARH has also spent £2million on new roofs and UPVC guttering and £2.8million on aids and adaptations to its homes as well as £10million on major improvements to its Independent Living Schemes.

 SARH announced the figures this week as it celebrated its fifth anniversary since taking ownership of 5,600 homes from Stafford Borough Council in 2006.

 “We have come a long way in our first five years but our work doesn’t stop here and we will continue to invest in our homes and communities to provide the very best service for our customers,” added SARH Chairman Kevin Upton.