Four Ayrshire based housing associations have come together as Eydent – The Alliance of Ayrshire Housing Associations. They are ANCHO, Atrium Homes, Ayrshire Housing and Irvine Housing Association.
The grouping builds on the common interests and concerns of four successful and distinctive organisations. The focus is very much about sharing good practice and collaboration around shared challenges and opportunities.
The initiative was launched at a reception for Ayrshire’s MSPs at Holyrood including Margaret Burgess the Minister for Housing and Welfare. She said “housing associations make an important contribution to the economy of Ayrshire. As someone with Ayrshire roots, I’m delighted to launch this forward-thinking alliance between ANCHO, Atrium Homes, Ayrshire Housing and Irvine Housing Association. I hope that this initiative acts as a catalyst for similar joint ventures amongst housing associations in other parts of Scotland.”
On behalf of the associations, Ken Stewart, Atrium’s Chair commented, “Eydent means dain things richt or in English, diligent or hard working. It is a fitting adjective for the members’ commitment to community focused housing provision. The alliance is at present a loose one – it’s about finding things in common whilst respecting each member’s distinctiveness. Eydent aims though to add to its members’ already solid track record in providing effective and responsive services to the communities in East, North and South Ayrshire”.
He went on to explain to the assembled Ayrshire MSPs that the alliance would help to develop co-ordinated strategies across Ayrshire to find economies of scale which build on local knowledge and a commitment to support local communities and local enterprise. Work around welfare reform and maximising the local benefit from a collective £15 million annual spend are early priorities. It will seek to work closely with the Scottish Government, with the three Ayrshire Councils and with others committed to local solutions, including other housing associations.