Clarion sells 700 properties to Eastlight Community Homes

Clarion has sold 703 homes in Essex and Suffolk to Eastlight Community Homes, a resident-led housing association based in the East of England.

The move is part of Clarion’s ongoing stock rationalisation plan, which has seen it sell nearly 3,000 properties to other providers since April 2022.

Last year it said it is seeking to divest itself of properties that it hasn’t been “able to manage in the most efficient and effective manner” It transferred 1,117 homes to other providers in 2023/24 and 1,162 units in 2022/23.

In March, Clarion sold 140 homes to Grand Union Housing Group and 747 homes to Portsmouth City Council as part of its planned stock disposal programme.

Eastlight Homes has said that the portfolio growth reinforces the housing association’s financial resilience alongside its commitment to taking a proactive place-based approach to better support local residents.

Eastlight said it will contact residents living in the 703 homes to address any questions or concerns, and issue welcome packs including how residents can get involved in shaping their homes.

The sale of the homes, which went through yesterday, includes general needs, shared ownership and leasehold properties, along with a a small number of homes for private rent, including housing for older people and supported housing.

Eastlight’s chief executive, Emma Palmer, said: “We are delighted to welcome new residents to Eastlight. This acquisition allows us to deepen our commitment to our communities, and a stronger local presence means that we can be better equipped to support our residents’ diverse needs over the long term.”

>> See also: Clarion continues stock disposal plan with sale of 140 homes

>> See also: Selling non-core assets currently a ‘focus’ for Peabody

>>See also: Exclusive: Clarion announces ‘ambitious’ restructure to improve housing management

Palmer added: “This transfer is a positive step forward for Eastlight, our partners and customers. By focusing our resources and expertise in this way, we are confident in our ability to provide the high-quality services that all residents expect and need.”

Rob Lane, chief property officer at Clarion Housing Group, said: “Eastlight was selected as the new provider for these homes after a thorough process and in partnership with residents. We will be working closely with Eastlight to ensure a smooth transition for all 703 households and know they will enjoy a great local service.”

At a joint conference held by the Chartered Institute of Housing and the National Housing Federation in Liverpool last week, asset disposal emerged as a major topic of discussion.

During a panel at the Housing Community Summit, Phillip Jenkins, the executive director of development at Peabody, said disposal of “non-core” assets is currently a key focus for the 104,000-home housing association.

Jenkins said: “We’re looking at where we can potentially dispose of non-core assets or other assets that we feel others may be better able to manage because of the geography or the typology”.

However, one housing figure told Housing Today that stock disposal is increasingly becoming a “real ethical dilemma” in the sector, as housing associations question whether to invest in bringing properties up to standard or to dispose of them.