Bernicia has unveiled ambitious plans to invest £400m into homes, services and communities – and a commitment to help the region unlock its potential.
We own and manage over 14,000 homes and have set out bold plans in our new five-year corporate strategy ‘The Bernicia Effect, Supporting Opportunity’, building on solid foundations as an anchor institution in communities across the North East.
‘The Bernicia Effect’ will see significant financial resources and employee expertise invested to improve the quality of life for tenants and customers, unlocking opportunities in employment and skills development, tackling poverty and improving wellbeing – all delivered from the stability a good home brings.
Over the next five years, Bernicia will:
Bernicia Chief Executive John Johnston said: “In a challenging environment, we’re choosing ambition over inertia, with a commitment to invest £400m to build new homes, improve existing homes and strengthen communities across the North East.
“‘The Bernicia Effect, Supporting Opportunity’ recognises that every home we provide and relationship we develop, has the power to change lives one person, one family, one community at a time.
“By listening closely, acting decisively and collaborating with like-minded partners, we will use our financial strength, expertise, insight and community understanding to generate and drive meaningful impacts that help people and places to thrive.”
We plan to build up to 1,000 new homes, primarily for social rent, the most affordable tenure, with rent levels approximately £3,400 per year less than a comparable market rent.
By 2030, we will have all its homes at SAP C energy efficiency levels or above.
Following sustained investment during its 2022-26 strategy, over 90% of our homes are already at this level, delivering real and significant savings for residents. We are determined to continue with improvements such as better insultation, air source heat pumps and solar PV panels, to help tenants minimise energy costs, tackle fuel poverty and cut carbon emissions.
We will also expand employability programmes, apprenticeships and re-skilling initiatives for local people and support households facing financial hardship through cost of living support.
We’ve also reinforced our commitment to work with partners to prevent and tackle homelessness and support initiatives that encourage inclusion through local hubs and wellbeing activities.
Maximising household income, minimising costs and supporting economic empowerment for tenants prevail throughout our strategy, along with an explicit pledge to support North East Mayor Kim McGuinness in her fight to tackle child poverty.
John said: “We will engage proactively with the North East Combined Authority, local councils, housing and education partners, employers and the voluntary sector to help shape a brighter future for our region.
“‘The Bernicia Effect’ reinforces our commitments to support all members of our community, help in tackling child poverty, supporting care leavers, armed forces communities and people furthest from the labour market.”
Bernicia has unveiled ambitious plans to invest £400m into homes, services and communities – and a commitment to help the region unlock its potential. We own and manage over 14,000 homes and have set out bold plans in our new five-year corporate strategy ‘The Bernicia Effect, Supporting Opportunity’, building on…
The North East Housing Partnership, a collaborative group of 19 North East social housing providers, has appointed a new Chair to lead its response to meeting the region’s affordable housing needs. Bernicia Chief Executive John Johnston has been appointed to the role, following three years as the partnership’s Vice Chair.
Bernicia’s Executive Director of Communities, Jenny Allinson, has been appointed Chair of an award-winning North East social housing partnership helping tenants and residents overcome barriers to find employment. She will head up the Housing Employment Network North East (HENNE) which pools the collective expertise of 12 North East housing…
