EXCLUSIVE By JOHN ELWORTHY TWENTY extra staff has been recruited by Roddons Housing Association once the move to a new £1 million headquarters is complete in the New Year. Pauline Ford, managing director, explained today that the extra staff would be re

EXCLUSIVE

By JOHN ELWORTHY

TWENTY extra staff has been recruited by Roddons Housing Association once the move to a new £1 million headquarters is complete in the New Year.

Pauline Ford, managing director, explained today that the extra staff would be ready to swing into action to provide first rate telephone and contact services with the association's tenants.

The new offices, now taking shape at Hostmoor Park, March, will accommodate a total of 120 Roddons staff who will manage the association's portfolio of 4,000 homes.

That number, said Ms Ford, is expected to grow by 500 in the next five years as the association - formed following the transfer of Fenland Council's housing stock- develops its business plan.

Ms Ford said Roddons planned to ensure tenants played a major role in their future, and would also be provided with a resource centre, including internet access, at the new offices.

"There will also be full support for the newly introduced choice based lettings scheme," she said.

Customers will be able to get quick response on a range of services ranging from repairs, to allocations, lettings, and anti social behaviour complaints.

The association has taken a tough line on anti social behaviour, working with police and other agencies to ensure homes are looked after and neighbourhoods respected.

Ms Ford said only one tenant had so far been evicted but there were several others who had received warnings and Roddons was determined to ensure other tenants enjoyed their homes without interference.

Her imaginative proposals for the future include bringing tenants into discussions on future housing design.

"Of course the landscape for new starts has changed somewhat but we are very confident for the future," she said. "We have a great team in place and we feel confident our tenants will continue to enjoy the benefits.