Housing & Finance Solutions for Local Authorities and their Customers

Community Housing is the fastest growing division within Orchard & Shipman and the leading provider of Private Sector Leasing in the UK.  It operates in partnership with local authorities in seeking housing and finance solutions to housing shortages.  In particular, the company has extensive experience of the provision and management of temporary accommodation for homeless families.  Currently, we have contracts totalling 2,500 properties with three local authorities – City of Edinburgh, London Borough of Hillingdon and Spelthorne Borough Councils.

Properties are procured from private landlords on long leases, for which the landlords are paid a guaranteed rent.  Orchard & Shipman can operate in any location within the UK subject to minimum contract sizes. 

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) wrote:

“Orchard & Shipman was able to demonstrate a solid knowledge of the local property market, with property management experience, an excellent database of contacts and a sound financial business.”

Excerpt from ‘Reducing B&B Use and Tackling Homelessness – What’s Working: A Good Practice Handbook’
– published by the Homelessness Directorate

In addition to Private Sector Leasing contracts, Community Housing is now able to offer Temporary to Permanent (T2P) housing finance and management.  Working with Lloyds TSB, this innovative funding vehicle captures Housing Benefit subsidies to finance borrowing to purchase temporary accommodation.  Local authorities build up a capital fund which allows them or their preferred partner to purchase the properties.  These can then revert to a Registered Social Landlord or ALMO as permanent accommodation.