Development Consortium

The Consortium

After Port of Leith Housing Association was awarded "Preferred Partner" status by the Council in January 2008, the Association considered the implications of this in light of emerging Scottish Government policy and specific feedback from the Council on our bid.

It was clear the Association was expected to take a lead role in the delivery of social housing in its various forms across the city. This would involve working with other developing associations, creating closer relationships with land owners and the private sector, the creation of an effective shadow programme, the development of streamlined processes and the ability to compete at a larger scale, across the entire city and a range of tenures.

Following the award of Preferred Partner status, the Association made contact with Hillcrest Housing Association and Home Scotland to establish whether these organisations were interested in joining with POLHA to deliver their programmes. In addition, Cairn Housing Association were also invited to join the group.

Initially, most activity has been focussed on POLHA, Hillcrest and Home Scotland coordinating their programmes in Edinburgh and providing a single route for preparation of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP). The 2009 - 2012 Strategy and Development Funding Plans Bid is the first one prepared by the Consortium, working collectively.

Unique Features

The combination of the five associations is unique in that it blends financial strength, national depth and experience, local focus and community identity, large scale regeneration, commitment to procurement efficiencies, and a genuine desire to provide a seamless development vehicle when working with the Council. Our attributes include:

  • Commitment
  • Ongoing programmes in Edinburgh
  • Development expertise / risk management
  • Financial capacity and forward funding ability
  • Development capacity
  • Capacity /expertise of commercial and retail development
  • Land owner
  • Homestake track record
  • Sub Market Rent track record
  • Private Sales track record
  • Wider Role track record
  • Building / Maintenance Contractor
  • Facilities Management
  • Student accommodation
  • Environment / sustainability expertise
  • Procurement / European tendering expertise
  • Process improvement / MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) expertise
  • Master planning
  • Regeneration at scale
  • Special needs experience
  • Care and support provision 

Aims and Objectives

Aim
To be a permanent Preferred Partner in Edinburgh by providing a complete range of affordable housing products which are of high quality, provide value for money, delivered on programme, on budget and across the city.

Values
Consortium members are committed to:

  • Work together in an open and transparent way to add value in the provision of affordable housing.
  • Understand and respect the drivers behind each member.
  • Forge strong links with the Council and other preferred partners in order to ensure delivery of the programme and meet agreed common objectives.
  • Respond sensitively and meaningfully to community concerns and aspirations. 

Objectives 

  • Development of a large scale programme (circa 5000 units) to deliver affordable housing in Edinburgh, including the Western Harbour, Leith Docks and Regeneration Areas.
  • Creation of sustainable communities with excellent services to tenants and other stakeholders.
  • Provide a range of affordable housing options across Edinburgh in order to improve choice and access to housing where people want to live.
  • Provide a totally integrated (one-stop shop) solution including design, finance, construction and land. This may involve in-house design teams, appointment of trades and land banking.
  • Integrate long-term maintenance, facilities management and wider role opportunities. A potential programme of this size will offer long-term opportunities in terms of training, employment, community business and factoring.
  • Develop community participation.
  • Develop streamlined processes and methods of construction to add value and reduce costs.
  • Obtain a fair return where appropriate.
  • Promote excellence in design, incorporating energy efficient measures and creation of a safe and secure environment.