5 October 2023

Get into Housing returns thanks to £60,000 investment from Principality Building Society

A group of Housing Associations in South Wales are thrilled to announce the return of their Get into Housing project for its second year, made possible through generous funding from Principality Building Society. This initiative, developed by CCHA, Taff Housing, Cadwyn, Hafod, United Welsh, Linc Cymru, and Wales & West Housing, offers paid work placements across various departments, with a primary mission to break down barriers and promote diversity within the housing sector.

As community housing associations, serving a diverse customer base, it is essential that the makeup of their staff reflects the communities they serve. The project provides participants with experience, training, and access to employment opportunities with the long-term goal of gaining meaningful careers within, and outside, the housing sector. 

In its inaugural year, the project welcomed 40 participants from the Cardiff area, with an impressive 75% securing permanent positions within the housing sector. Others have leveraged the support of mentors to enhance their future job search. This year the fund will reach more people, thanks to new criteria which will see applications open to those living across the whole of South Wales, who are over 18 and are currently unemployed and identify as being from an ethnically diverse background.

Richard Wales, Commercial Lending Director at Principality Building Society, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the founding partners on the delivery of this fantastic project, which provides valuable paid work experience and opportunities with the objective of improving diversity within the sector. We work closely with Housing Associations in Wales to provide funding for high quality affordable homes, and it's wonderful that we have been given the opportunity to support them in another way through this project.”

Hayley Selway, outgoing Chief Executive of CCHA and Chair of the Get into Housing Board said: "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Principality Building Society for their generous support, which enables our partnership to continue our mission of ensuring the sector promotes and values the importance of diversity. The generous support of £60,000 from Principality emphasises the significance of this initiative in promoting inclusivity and equity and inevitably improving services to our tenants and communities.”    

For more information about the Get into Housing project, eligibility criteria, or how to apply, please visit www.ccha.org.uk.

Published: 05/10/2023