A2Dominion, a prominent social housing provider, is undergoing a significant transformation, shedding approximately half of its development team as part of its strategic realignment.
- This shift is part of A2Dominion’s new strategy to discontinue certain new developments, particularly those intended for private sale.
- The restructuring is expected to significantly impact the workforce, with around 70 employees currently affected and a reduction by half anticipated.
- The focus is shifting towards enhancing existing properties, reflecting a commitment to improving quality and sustainability for tenants.
- This strategic realignment aims to tailor development strategies to the specific needs of communities, working closely with local authorities.
A2Dominion, once recognised as one of the top ten developing housing associations in the UK, is implementing a major restructuring of its operations. The organisation is reducing its development team by half, indicating a shift in focus from developing new properties, particularly those for private sale under the Fabrica by A2Dominion label, to investing in its existing property stock. The full implications for staff are currently under consultation, with approximately 70 roles affected thus far.
In recent years, A2Dominion’s new build programme has declined significantly from its 2018 peak of 7,817 to 1,645 current projects. This downturn reflects a strategic pivot towards maintaining and enhancing the company’s existing 38,000 homes across London and the southeast. Chief Property Officer Michael Reece has reaffirmed the commitment to constructing new affordable homes, albeit through revised methods that focus on regeneration and redevelopment of current assets.
The redefined strategy underscores the intention to improve tenants’ living conditions through enhanced energy and environmental performance of the properties. This initiative aims at investing in properties that require improvements, potentially regenerating or even disinvesting from those that no longer align with the core objectives of A2Dominion.
Each local authority partner will see tailored investment strategies that focus on evaluating and rejuvenating existing stock, as well as considering stock rationalisation to eliminate distractions from A2Dominion’s primary goals. Opportunities for redevelopment and increased density will be explored where feasible, ensuring resources are allocated toward sustainable development objectives.
A2Dominion is actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure these changes reflect the needs and priorities of the communities it serves. The organisation acknowledges the challenging nature of these decisions and appreciates the contributions and adaptability of its workforce during this transitional period.
A2Dominion’s strategic shift prioritises investment in existing properties over new developments, aiming for sustainable improvement in tenant services.
