Oban landlord joins Link group

Oban-based West Highland Housing Association (WHHA) has joined the Link group of registered social landlords and social enterprises.

The group welcomed the new social landlord at the CIH Scotland conference this week in Glasgow.

WHHA - which owns and manages almost 1,000 properties - retains its own identity, assets, staff and management committee and keeps its registered social landlord status.

The new partnership will increase the availability of affordable housing, improve efficiency and share good practice.

Murray Sim, chair West Highland Housing Association Board, said: “We are delighted to have become members of the Link Group. It’s been a long and worthwhile journey, not one of doubt, but simply ensuring that we had everyone on board with our decision.

“With Link’s expertise in development we will be able to provide more affordable homes – both rented and to buy – throughout Argyll allowing WHHA to concentrate on management and working with small local communities developing sustainable solutions for development. WHHA look forward to a very successful future.”

WHHA’s membership brings the number of subsidiaries in the Link group to seven.

"The others are Larkfield, Link and Horizon Housing Associations, LinkLiving, Link Property and two currently ‘dormant ‘ companies, Linkwide and Link Homes..”

Roy Stirrat, chairman of Link Group, said: “We are pleased to welcome WHHA into the Link group. Its membership and expertise will strengthen our position as a significant national service provider and ensure we are even better equipped to respond to the need for registered social landlords to diversify and adapt in order to meet the economic, social and housing challenges, today and in future.”