RESIDENTS living in Sovereign properties are being asked to have a say on a proposed merger with another housing association.

Sovereign is proposing to join forces with Network Homes to create Sovereign Network Group, with plans to deliver 25,000 new homes over the next 10 years – 4,000 more than in current plans.

If the merger goes ahead there are also plans to introduce a new community foundation which will invest £100m across its communities over the next 10 years.

Proposals for the two associations to merge were announced earlier this year, with the merger scheduled to take effect in October - creating an 82,000-home association giant. 

Residents are being invited to share their views over the proposals, and responses should be sent by Tuesday, July 11.

Sovereign chief executive Mark Washer said: "Consulting our customers is an essential part of our proposed merger.  Sovereign exists to make sure they have a great home, so this will help us understand people’s concerns, learn, and bring together the best from each organisation.

“We want to be in a position where we’ll be able to deliver even more for our customers. Merging with Network Homes will put us on this path and mean we leave an even larger legacy for the people living in our communities.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for customers to have their say and help shape the future direction of the proposed Sovereign Network Group. I’d encourage all customers to read the information and provide feedback before the consultation ends."

While there won’t be a formal resident vote, and there is no legal or regulatory requirement to consult, the boards of Sovereign and Network Homes have said they will take residents’ feedback into account when they make their final decision on the merger.

Sovereign is contacting customers via email, SMS and post with information about the merger and encouraging feedback on its proposals. The information sets out how the new group will function, what will change, and crucially what will remain the same.

Feedback from the consultation will support the new group to develop sector-leading services and leave a positive legacy for customers.

Sovereign is also holding pop-up events to give residents the chance to speak to members of its’ team in person about these proposals.

Sovereign will share a summary of the feedback received and next steps in September.

Customers should check Sovereign’s website regularly for all the latest updates and details of upcoming events.

More detail about the merger, the consultation and pop-up events can be found at sovereign.org.uk/better-together.