Concerns have been raised over the proposed merger between West Midlands Housing Group (WHG) and Aspire Housing, with calls for increased transparency and tenant involvement. The announcement of the merger, aimed at creating a larger housing association, was made last month by WHG, emphasizing ambitions to build new homes and maintain existing properties across the Midlands.
However, Councillor Matt Ward, leader of the Labour group, voiced “deep concern” about the merger’s implications for tenants and staff in Walsall. Ward criticized the lack of prior consultation with the local council, stating, “I was quite surprised that there hadn’t been any correspondence with the council about the merger.” He cautioned that previous housing mergers have sometimes led to declines in service quality and tenant welfare, citing the Accord and Green Square example, which resulted in several ombudsman rulings for unsafe living conditions.
Ward argued that tenants could face additional costs as maintenance standards, such as fence repairs, have already been cut back. He insisted any merger must gain formal approval from the housing secretary of state and warned that residents should have the right to veto proposals that do not serve their interests.
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WHG, which manages approximately 22,000 homes across the West Midlands and transferred ownership of council housing stock from Walsall Council in the early 2000s, plans to unite with Aspire Housing, which oversees over 9,500 homes in Staffordshire and Cheshire. Gary Fulford, current CEO of WHG, is anticipated to lead the new combined organisation.
A WHG spokesperson responded by noting that both organisations informed customers, staff, and key stakeholders, including Walsall Council and Staffordshire authorities, about the planned merger on February 6. They highlighted WHG’s track record in investing over £1 billion since 2003 to improve homes and communities, including £75 million spent last year alone. Over the past five years, WHG has also delivered more than 2,000 new homes, many within Walsall.
Both WHG and Aspire currently hold a C1 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing, reflecting high standards of safety and security for tenants. The spokesperson expressed optimism that merging would create a stronger association capable of delivering greater benefits, unlocking funding for regeneration projects, and advancing affordable housing development across the Midlands. Recent successful projects at Goscote, Lockside, and Hollyhedge Lane were cited as examples of the organisations’ ongoing commitment to community improvement.
They added that the proposed merger remains subject to a forthcoming six-week tenant engagement programme, and that WHG is open to attending the council’s scrutiny panel to discuss its advantages. The organisation reassured stakeholders of its dedication to sustaining excellence in housing services and regional growth for years to come.