CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S STATEMENT I joined Arhag in June 2021 and was privileged to be given the opportunity to lead a local BME Housing Association that has a clear and firm focus on working with migrants and refugees. The importance of this focus has never been so prevalent given the events we have all witnessed over the last year around the world. My first week included the handover of 21 homes that we now manage on a 10-year lease, the recruitment process for four new Board members and an office where staff were still working remotely. There is much to be proud of at Arhag. The heritage of the organisation alongside our work with our hub partners, based out of our office in Stratford and beyond, is key to our mission and vision. As we finally come out of the pandemic, the challenges for us at Arhag and the Housing Sector are clear. Service standards and increased resident expectations around value for money and service excellence sit alongside rightfully increased scrutiny and responsibility for our homes to be properly maintained, enhanced to set standards, and plans made to meet net carbon zero and Energy Performance Certificate rating C and above. We have been working hard to improve our service offer through an improvement programme (Building our Foundation) whilst we have replaced our website, sought a long-term repairs partner and carried out a full stock condition survey to mention a few key activities. We have a journey of improvement and continued focus on the resident experience to maintain and progress into 2022/23. Our staff and our residents are central to our being, and we have worked with both groups to improve standards, our service offer and support to those entering and living in our communities. Our Resident Scrutiny Panel has been active throughout the year and involved in the recruitment of our new Chair for Arhag. I would like to thank Qadeer, our outgoing Chair, for his nine-year tenure. He has overseen many positive changes within Arhag. He has been key to ensuring Arhag has developed its offer and homes, whilst remaining financially stable. Qadeer has been really supportive in my first year at Arhag and I am grateful for his support and guidance over that time. The Arhag team are looking forward to delivering more improvements for our Residents, strengthening our migrant and refugee offer and creating new opportunities for us and our partners to work together. We value our partnerships with sector groups such as BME London/National Landlords, National Housing Federation and local community groups and leaders. Closer, collaborative initiatives between us, can benefit all that we do. An exciting year ahead! Chris Harris Chief Executive Officer 8 ARHAG
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