Affinity Sutton cited as good example of social endeavor

Affinity Sutton has been singled out as a good example of the emerging role of social landlords as small scale funders of community endeavour.

The report “At the Crossroads: a progressive future for housing associations” produced by research organisation ResPublica sets out a radical new vision for the affordable housing sector which provides homes to over 2 million households across England - 1 in 10 of total housing stock.

The report states that as well as providing a home, many housing associations play a wider role, delivering services in many of our most deprived communities.

But it argues that key aspects of the big society - in particular issues of mutualism, community ownership and localised decision-making have so far been noticeable for their absence from recent social housing debate.

The report, which acknowledges Clare Miller, Affinity Sutton's Group Director of Governance and Compliance, calls for a greater focus on the potential of housing association as community-focused players, and for that to be balanced against their important role as providers of new homes.