ABOUT CERNACH HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

14 most commonly asked questions

This leaflet answers some of the questions people are asking about Cernach Housing Association Limited.

Q.1        What is Cernach Housing Association?

A.         Cernach is a non-profit making Housing Organisation whose prime aim is to provide good quality affordable housing for people who live in or wish to live in Drumchapel.

Q. 2     Where is Cernach’s Office?

A.         We are currently at the top of Achamore Road, however, we are proposing to build a new office at the corner of Kinfauns Drive and Achamore Road.

Q. 3     How long has Cernach Housing Association Limited been in existence?

A.         The Association has been operating in the Kingsridge area of Drumchapel since July

            1991.

Q. 4     What is a Housing Association?

A.         A Housing Association is a social landlord in much the same way as Glasgow City

            Council. The main differences at this time is that Housing Associations are monitored by

            Communities Scotland and tenants have a real say in how their rent money is spent.  All monies collected in rents are used to meet the costs of managing and maintaining  the houses

            in good repair  and providing  for the future.

Q. 5     Are you a private landlord?

A.         NO – The tenants collectively own the houses. Cernach Housing Association exists

            for the benefit of its  tenants. We do not trade for profit. 

Q.6      Who runs Cernach?

A.      Cernach Housing Association  is controlled by a Voluntary Management Committee of 15 members who are  elected  annually from within its membership of tenants and local residents.  Staff are employed by the Committee to deal with the day-to-day running of the Organisation however the policy and investment decisions are made by the Management Committee. 

Q. 7     Do Tenants have a say in how Cernach works?

A.         Our Tenants views are considered vital in the continued success of the Association.  We try to involve them as much as possible in all aspects of our service, and regularly seek their views on the service they receive and areas for improvement..  Apart from the Management Committee structure tenants are also involved in our Resident Participation Group.  This group, with funding and administration support from the Association ,organised a childrens party for the millennium and a Gala Day to celebrate the Associations 10^th Anniversary summer 2001. The group are currently involved in developing the designs for a childrens play park.

Q. 8     Are Cernach’s rents high?

A.         Our average rents for new/improved properties are:

We compare our rents with other housing providers to ensure our rents remain comparable.  We also carry out regular Income Surveys of our tenants to test the affordability of our rents, the results of which are immediately fed back to Communities Scotland to assist in our campaign for increased public subsidy to provide new housing whilst at the same time ensuring rents are affordable to people on a low income. The above table demonstrates our success to date.  When considering the above rent charges you should bear in mind that the rents quoted are for new build housing.  

Q.9      Are Housing Association tenants entitled to housing benefit?

A.                  Yes, our Tenants receive the same housing benefit entitlement as others. Housing Benefit claims are processed by Glasgow City Council.  The Association employs the services of a Welfare Benefits Advice Officer to help tenants with any claim they make for Housing Benefit or any other Welfare benefit.

Q.10    How can we be sure you provide a good service to Tenants?

A.                  The Association has achieved consistently high standards measured against Communities Scotland performance standards at all monitoring visits. The Association has an overall ‘B’ rating with ‘A’ ratings across three main functions i.e. Development, Finance, Governance & Accountability.  The Association also carries out regular Tenant Satisfaction Surveys. The result of our most recent survey are summarised below.

YEAR ANALYSIS     NOV 1999 % DEC 2000 % DEC 2001 % 85 85 95 Felt the Association was very good/good at keeping them informed about its activities and services   91 95 95 Were very satisfied with the assistance provided by staff   -- -- 100 Were satisfied with the helpfulness of reception staff   75 88 84 Were very satisfied/satisfied with the repairs service provided by the Association.   -- -- 84 Felt the quality of services provided by the Association was good   86 87 90 Were very satisfied/satisfied with the Association as their landlord   -- -- 93 Were satisfied with the helpfulness of the Associations repair staff   -- -- 74 Believed their rent represents value for money   -- -- 89 Felt safe living in the Association area.   -- -- 88 Were very satisfied with the improvements to the environment where they live   -- -- 95 Feel secure in their home   23   23 Felt their own health had improved since moving to the Associations Housing Stock   31   34 Felt their children’s health had improved since moving to the Association’s Housing Stock

 

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Q.11      How do you keep Tenants informed?

A.         We produce and distribute a newsletter 4 times a year.  Tenants and local residents are encouraged to submit articles for inclusion.

Q. 12   Is Cernach involved in other ways in the local Community?

A.         Yes we are a Community Controlled Housing Association with strong links to local schools and other voluntary organisations.  Our Association strives to support local employment initiatives wherever possible through our maintenance contractors

             and house building programme. We also support the local school through the Cernach Housing Association Achievement Award annually.

Q.13    How are houses allocated?

A.                  All houses are let according to Housing Need.  Whilst the Association has tenants living in unimproved housing conditions these tenants will be given priority for any housing which becomes available, with the exception of housing for particular needs which are let from the housing list and/or /city Council nominations.  The last remaining unimproved houses are now awaiting demolition therefore all lets after these tenants are housed will be allocated from the Associations Housing List and Glasgow City Council Nominations.                              

Q.14    How do I become a member?

 A.        Complete a membership application form together with your reasons for wishing to join and £1.00 membership fee to the Associations Office. This will be submitted to the Management Committee for approval and your Share Certificate issued. This membership will entitle you to stand for election to the Management Committee or elect /vote for Management Committee members annually.

If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact us at:

Cernach Housing Association Limited

25 Ladyloan Place

Tel:  0141 944 3860

Fax:  0141 944 8925

E-Mail: jean@cernachha.co.uk

Web: www.cernachha.co.uk