The merger between the Downland and Affinity groups is indeed bringing very considerable financial benefits but this was not the only motive. The new Affinity Group provides Broomleigh, Downland and Southdown housing associations with great local autonomy and the capacity to provide services to suit local circumstances, while maintaining their own distinctive identities.
It is clearly appropriate for well-performing housing associations to consider a "beauty parade" when selecting a prospective partner. A compatible culture is an absolute must, as is checking out all that's on offer.
Although I support the Housing Corporation's wish to rationalise an overpopulated sector, I cannot see that the regulator can do much more than offer informal advice, brokerage and guidance to well-run, independent organisations.
The point I made strongly was that conversely, where a housing association is under regulatory supervision, this is more often than not the result of poor governance and financial weakness. It simply cannot be right to leave such organisations to call all the shots when seeking a partner to rescue them – the corporation should have a more forceful and important role to play in these cases. A failed association under supervision made quite extraordinary financial demands of us as a condition of joining our group – needless to say, we declined its offer.
Source
Housing Today
Postscript
Keith Exford, group chief executive, Affinity
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