Wakefield District Housing Celebrate
16th November 2007
A housing group in Wakefield has become the first in the north of England to be awarded the Audit Commission's highest rating for its property services in Wakefield
Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) was given a three-star "excellent" rating after an inspection last month, making them only the third housing body in England to attain three star status.
WDH became the country's largest single transfer housing organisation when it took ownership of 31,000 homes from Wakefield Council in April 2005.
The rating was awarded in particular for WDH's progress in delivering major repairs, the range of ways tenants can access services and the high standards of customer care.
Yvonne Davies, the Audit Commission's head of housing for the North, said:
"WDH deserves recognition as the North's first three-star housing association.
"We found a range of good services, with significant strengths in customer focus, regeneration, major repairs and value for money.
"Its achievement is all the more remarkable as the organisation is just over two years old."
WDH chief executive Kevin Dodd said:
"The high rating will help encourage more funding into the district which, in turn, will mean that we can continue to ensure that our services meet and exceed the expectations of our tenants and residents."

