Housing services in Cheshire West and Chester are being delivered by the council from today (1 April), following the end of its contract with ForHousing.

Since 2017, ForHousing has managed council housing and homelessness services on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council. From 1 April, these services will be delivered in-house.

The council said the move is intended to improve stability for tenants and give it greater control over housing services, with the aim of meeting regulatory standards and improving responsiveness.

Most homelessness support services - including temporary accommodation, prevention, tenancy support, and out-of-hours provision - will now be delivered by the council. Its statutory homelessness service through Housing Options remains unchanged.

The council said this change is intended to better align these services with existing in-house prevention work.

Services for young people, rough sleepers, and supported accommodation will be delivered by Forum Housing, a local provider experienced in supporting people affected by homelessness. Existing service users have been informed, and the council said support will continue without interruption.

Repairs and maintenance will continue to be carried out by Liberty, part of the Wates Group.

The council's Home Improvement Agency (HIA) has been renamed the Safe at Home team. The service supports people referred for disabled adaptations through Disabled Facilities Grants and helps low-income homeowners carry out essential repairs.

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Service users have been informed of the changes by letter and told their cases will continue, with caseworkers expected to make contact following the transition.

"Tenants and leaseholders told us loud and clear that they would like the Council to deliver housing management services for them," said Cllr Christine Warner.

"I am pleased that we are now giving them what they asked for and this move brings us closer to our tenants and means we can do everything we can to continue to provide them with a safe and good quality home.

"We ask that tenants and service users bear with us while we get to grips with the new service but rest assured that our tenants and service users will always remain our priority, and we are working extremely hard to minimise any disruption as services transition into the Council and to Forum."

More information about Housing and Homelessness services and the transition is available on the Council website.