A Durham landlord has been accredited for its commitment to supporting those affected by domestic violence.
Durham City Homes is the first landlord in the region to be recognised by the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) – a partnership between Gentoo, Peabody and Standing Together Against Domestic Violence.
This six-month improvement programme has seen the landlord’s approach to the issue scrutinised, including looking at service delivery, policies and procedures, risk management and employee training.
Carol Crathorne, Estates and Tenancy Manager at Durham City Homes, said: “We are delighted to receive this accolade, as ensuring our tenants feel safe in their home is paramount to the organisation.
“Our employees are ideally placed within local communities to challenge domestic abuse and support those who are at risk.”
Kelly Henderson, DAHA Co-Founder and Business Manager (Domestic Abuse) at Gentoo, said: “We are thrilled to award the DAHA Accreditation to Durham City Homes in recognition of their hard work and commitment to tackling domestic abuse. Over the past year the response from the housing sector has been overwhelming and we are delighted that Durham City Homes are leading the way in the north east.”
DAHA’s mission is to improve the housing sector’s response to domestic abuse through an accreditation process, which assesses individual housing providers and supports them to improve their practice.
For more information on DAHA visit www.gentoogroup.com
Notes for editors
For more information contact Jill Ancrum, Group Communications Manager, on 0191 349 7643, 0797 6299 547 or email jill.ancrum@cdhg.co.uk
Photos attached:
1. (left to right) Durham City Homes’ Tracy Aberdeen, Kay Hughes, Jean Steel, Karen Gardner, Carol Crathorne, Tracy Stone and Kim Caulfield
- (left to right) DAHA’s Kelly Henderson with Durham City Homes’ Karen Gardiner and Carol Crathorne
Durham City Homes
Durham City Homes Ltd is a Registered Provider and provides 5,800 homes for tenants within 33 distinct communities and villages across the Durham City area and its environs. Durham City Homes Ltd was established in 2015 following a successful stock transfer from Durham County Council. We are committed to delivering excellent services to all our tenants and customers. Our mission is: ‘To provide affordable, modern housing and excellent housing services in neighbourhoods that are clean, green and safe and that people want to live in’. As part of County Durham Housing Group, we take pride in putting tenants at the heart of what we do and providing better services, homes and communities.
Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance
The aim of the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) is to improve the housing sector’s response to domestic abuse through an accreditation process. DAHA is a partnership between Gentoo, Standing Together Against Domestic Violence (STADV) and Peabody. All agencies have a longstanding commitment to tackling domestic abuse, working in partnership, sharing best practice and practising innovation. This includes ensuring housing professionals respond to this issue in a coordinated and consistent way. The accreditation brings together best practice and examines key elements of service delivery. It is an assessment tool enabling organisations to analyse and assess existing practice and implement an improvement plan.