The Community Housing Group (TCHG) is moving forward with its plans to merge two of its subsidiaries in order to reinvest efficiency savings into providing new homes and improving services.

Wyre Forest Community Housing (WFCH), providing the management of general need homes, and Wyre Forest Sheltered Housing (WFSH), providing the management of sheltered housing for older and vulnerable people are all set to merge in April 2015.

WFSH was separated from WFCH in 2005 so it could be registered as a company with charitable status creating a more efficient business plan that resulted in savings that could be reinvested back into the Company.

In April 2014, WFCH gained charitable status meaning that the group can achieve even greater value for money by bringing the two subsidiaries back together.

The proposed merger will not only provide better financial efficiencies, but will also reduce administration and running costs, and streamline governance arrangements by having one company, freeing up more resources to enable the future provision of care and support services, and new homes for the district.

A very positive response was received during the consultation period, which asked all tenants of WFCH and WFSH to get in touch with their views and comments, or attend meetings across the Wyre Forest to discuss the proposal.

Managing Director, Wyre Forest Community Housing, Yvonne Leishman, said: “Merging the two housing Companies makes good financial sense, ensuring that we can continue to invest in our communities by improving existing services and providing desperately needed new homes for the area. The proposal won’t have any negative impacts for the Company or our tenants, and we’re delighted to have received such a positive response to the plans”.