Name:

Kirsty Dixon

Organisation:

York Housing Association

Position:

Customer Service Team Leader

Number of properties and location:

Approx 600. Most in York but we also have properties in Scarborough, Leeds, East Ridings and Ripon.

Why did you join PfH?

To try and make savings on our expenditure.

What benefits has PfH created for your organisation?

It has enabled us to reduce costs in various areas and make purchases with significant savings. We also make savings in time as we don't have to get quotes and work on the tendering process ourselves, PfH looks after all that for us.

What savings do you expect to make annually?

I don't have an actual figure for this. Any saving is good and with PfH continuing to grow in the products it offers to its Members, I am sure savings will only improve! One agreement we were particularly impressed with was Decorating Vouchers - we got a 13% rebate back which we would have lost had we got them direct from B&Q.

How will your residents and their neighbourhoods benefit from this reinvestment?

Obviously any savings mean we can put more into improving the service we give to tenants and to invest in the neighbourhoods they live in. It can help us reduce service charges and puts more money in the pot for the things that really matter to them.

What do you expect PfH to achieve for the sector in the longer term?

To continue negotiating substantial savings and offering savings in a wider variety of areas.

What would you say to other housing organisations that are considering becoming a PfH member?

Don't hesitate, get on board! It cost so little to become a Member and this cost is soon recouped in the savings you make (we got this back on our first purchase). They also have some interesting seminars which are well worth attending.