Marking its 10th anniversary, Gloucester City Homes (GCH) today launches its ambitious five-year strategy setting out a vision to enhance housing, strengthen communities, and empower customers across the city.
With approximately 9% of Gloucester’s population living in a GCH home, the housing association plays a pivotal role in shaping the city’s future. Its new strategy focuses on three key pillars: customer empowerment, quality homes, and an engaged workforce, reinforcing GCH’s mission to create thriving communities where everyone feels valued and supported.
“A safe, warm and affordable home, a place we can be proud to call our own, is the foundation from which we can all dream, aspire and live our best life,” says CEO Guy Stenson. “Sadly, in the UK today, too many people don’t have a place to call home.”
GCH is at the forefront of tackling housing challenges, working together with customers and partners at the heart of the community to raise the quality of homes and invest in welcoming communities where everyone can thrive.
By 2030 GCH aims to:
- Enhance customer satisfaction, with a target of 90% of residents feeling they are treated fairly and with respect.
- Achieve a 93% repairs satisfaction rate, ensuring homes remain safe, warm, and well-maintained.
- Strengthen community ties, with local, tailored services that reflect the diverse needs of Gloucester’s residents.
- Ensure all existing homes achieve at least an EPC C rating, making them more energy-efficient and sustainable.
- Build over 350 new homes to meet local housing demand.
- Develop fossil-fuel-free, EPC A-rated new homes, supporting the UK’s net-zero goals.
At the heart of the strategy is a deep commitment to involving residents and providing services that are inclusive, responsive, and empowering. The plan focuses on making services easier to access, putting more investment into existing homes, and working more closely with local partners to support community growth and regeneration.
“GCH is more than a housing provider—we’re at the heart of our communities,” continues Guy Stenson. “Our new strategy is about ensuring that every home we provide is safe, warm, and affordable, while also empowering our customers and colleagues to shape the future of housing in Gloucester. We’re proud to be leading the way on homelessness prevention, accessible housing, and sustainability.”
The strategy launch marks a significant milestone for GCH as it celebrates its 10th anniversary as an independent housing association.
On 16 March 2015, Gloucester City Council transferred its housing stock to the ownership of GCH, following 10 years as an arms-length management organisation. Since then, GCH has invested over £165 million in improving existing homes and developing over 600 new homes for the people of Gloucestershire.
To mark the occasion, two commemorative fruit trees were planted at GCH’s newest scheme, Hewmar House, by the current Executive leadership team and former CEO and Chairs.
“We hope the trees and garden will become a place of refuge and wellbeing to future residents,” commented Michael Hill, Executive Director of Customer Experience. “Hewmar House is a significant reminder of how far GCH has come in the past 10 years, offering a new level of supported accommodation for young people, which the city desperately needs.”