Convergence ERDF: Priority 5; Themes 1 & 2

"The goal is to make services more responsive to the needs of individuals and communities; more accessible to all and open to genuine participation; more coherent, delivering through simpler, more joined-up structures; more effective in tackling problems and more efficient, recognising that getting the best value from the budget is key to improving services and investing in the front-line"

There is an emerging body of evidence that demonstrates that localising service provision within disadvantaged communities can enhance and increase take up of services. Putting all services under the one roof can offer useful synergies.

Research by the Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust (hact) also reveals positive benefits arising from partnerships between housing associations and other organisations in the voluntary and community sectors. The research identified a role for housing associations as providers of support to these organisations in building their capacity and encouraging their long-term sustainability. Housing associations can act as ‘community anchors’ providing both stability and expertise to their voluntary and community sector partners.

A number of housing associations in Wales have experience in developing and managing community assets and buildings. They have also made a significant contribution to programmes to develop new community assets and are involved in the community management of existing facilities.

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