Watford Community Housing commits to investing £1.25 million into community initiatives

As part of our new business plan, we have set out our ambitious plans for the next five years, including a commitment to invest £1.25 million into community initiatives, as well as delivering much-needed new homes, enhancing its services for customers and making its homes more energy-efficient.  

These goals are detailed in our new 2025-2030 business plan, Making a Difference, which has been produced in consultation with customers. By delivering this plan, we aim to build on our record as a top-rated organisation which holds the highest grades from the Regulator of Social Housing (G1/V1/C1).

One of our key promises is to invest £1.25 million into local community initiatives over the next five years. This money – which equates to approximately £250,000 per year – will be invested through our new Community Partnerships Fund, to support projects that make a real difference in our local communities across South-West Hertfordshire and North-West London.

To qualify for funding, initiatives must benefit members of the local community. These will be targeted to help tackle known local issues, such as social isolation and neighbourhood safety, or support the health and wellbeing of residents and tenancy sustainment. Some of the larger projects that have benefited from our funding in the last five years include: Home Start – Watford and Three Rivers, a financial support project with Citizens Advice Watford, and local boxing club, Watford ABC. We have also funded activities through grants for the Solo Stars community group for single parent families, and the Nifty Fifties group for customers over 50 years old.

We worked closely with our customers to shape our plans for the next five years. As well as discussions with the Gateway Membership Team (GMT) – a group of residents who work with us to make sure that customers have a voice in our decision-making – and our Customer Experience Committee, we carried out a consultation exercise with residents in summer 2024, to understand what their top priorities are.

Along with investing in our communities, some of our other key priorities are:

• delivering a reliable repairs service and excellent housing management;
• acting on residents’ feedback and working to make communities safer and more attractive;
• building at least 750 new homes;
• ensuring all its homes are safe, energy-efficient and fit for the future; and
• building productive partnerships with other local organisations.

Tina Barnard, Chief Executive of Watford Community Housing, said:

“We believe in working in partnership to strengthen our communities and help our customers get the best out of life – that’s why the key message for our new business plan is ‘Making a Difference’.

“We’re proud of the important role we play in our communities, and everything we do is geared towards improving our services and delivering for local people. As well as continuing to maintain and build good-quality homes, we look forward to working with our partners to help people connect and form wider support networks, creating vibrant communities so that people love the area they live in, as well as their home.” 

Our 2025-2030 Making a Difference business plan and strategies are available to read at www.wcht.org.uk/makingadifference

The Gateway Membership Team have identified two partners to work with over the coming years who focus on addressing poverty and youth engagement. They are keen to hear from local organisations that aim to address social isolation and mental health support in their local communities.

For more information on how to apply for funding for community initiatives, email community@wcht.org.uk or call Amy Willcox-Smith, Assistant Director of Customers and Communities, on 01923 209 219 for an informal chat.