Cobalt Housing started in February 2003 after stock transfer from Liverpool City Council. We relocated Cobalt staff from four sites including the city centre, Norris Green, Croxteth and Kirkby offices over to our head office when it opened in the heart of our neighbourhood in July 2005. It helps us deliver a unified and co-ordinated service and more accessible reception services in a welcoming environment for all visitors.
Since its inception in 2003 Cobalt has worked tirelessly to improve our estates and increase demand for our homes. Up to the middle of 2006 we had sustained an average of 60 applications for every vacant property.
Before and after: Improvements made in the local community
Where we are now:
In terms of the local housing market property values have steadily increased since stock transfer from Liverpool City Council and on average a property coming up for sale in the Cobalt area during 2006 was around £57,000. We expect the overall upward trend to continue with market values set to rise to £70,000 in 2007/2008.
We own and manage 5,564 homes (at November 2006) - the majority of which are 3 bedroom houses. Demand for this type of property is high, but it can be a challenge meeting the diverse accommodation needs of groups such as single people or those whose mobility is impaired. In addition to traditional landlord activities we are also heavily involved in a wide range of neighbourhood and community regeneration activities as we aim to address the social, economic and environmental problems faced by our communities.
In 2006/07 we took handover of another 56 new build homes and a further 146 homes are currently being developed. Despite this growth, we anticipate our property numbers remaining around 5,600, as tenants exercise their Right to Buy.