The recent North Wales Housing AGM (Annual General Meeting) marked  a successful year for the organisation whilst also celebrating the launch of ‘domus Cambria’, NWH’s innovative commercial subsidiary.

A residential development enterprise, domus Cambria (translated ‘Welsh Home’) will support continued investment in local communities, housing provision and job creation through private development. Given the recent cuts in social housing grants of around 31%, NWH hopes some of this shortfall can be realised and generated through private development schemes.

Detail of the first domus Cambria project were also revealed and work will soon begin at ‘Abbey Road’ a 35-unit, over 55’s development on Llandudno’s West Shore.

Governed by a Board of six people – four existing members and two new members, domus Cambria will develop and build homes and services commercially with profits being used to cross-subsidise more traditional work carried out by North Wales Housing. The Board has already identified its priorities for the use of commercial income which includes improvement of tenants’ homes, particularly with a view to increasing sustainability, potential new development and kick-starting community social enterprise.

Phil Danson of North Wales Housing said: “It’s great to see the new enterprise officially launched and fully operational with its first development underway.

“We anticipated this significant funding shortfall some time ago and took the decision to act in advance rather than wait for the changes and cuts to hit us. Ultimately, our tenants are our priority and we want to be able to sustain our high levels of accommodation and services.”