Who
Cunninghame Housing Association is the leading social enterprise in Ayrshire. They have 1739 rented properties in management, 29 shared ownership properties in management and factor 320 properties.  In addition Cunninghame Housing Association have 26 supported tenancies in their Homeless Persons Unit - Victoria House.

With headquarters in the seaside town of Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, Cunninghame Housing Association operates in the local authority areas of North and East Ayrshire.  The Association is run by a voluntary board of management, is a registered charity in Scotland and has 76 employees.

What
The Opp2mise programme (Opportunities to move into social enterprise) is a partnership between CEiS and Cunninghame Housing Association which aims to support the growth and development potential of local social economy organisations in North Ayrshire and portray Cunninghame Housing Association as ‘more than just a landlord’.

Why
Cunninghame Housing Association wanted to expand their community regeneration activities and create labour market opportunities, develop community assets and supporting the social economy.

Business benefits

• 40% growth since implementing the strategy  - they will be building between 800 and 900 units within the next five years
• Housing agencies have confirmed that their reputation as ‘more than just a landlord’ has been a key driver in securing sites for development
• They are transferring some of the skills they have learned to other housing associations
• Cunninghame Housing Association have developing networks in new areas
• On 28 March 2007 they were awarded lead developer status for the Vineburgh Regeneration project in Irvine
• They have increased their profile as an organisation

Community benefits

• Used our property development expertise to build important new community facilities
• Altered how we managed our mainstream housing activities and budgets to create training and employment opportunities for local unemployed people
• Provided direct financial assistance to community organisations
• Committed staff time to mentor the development of community businesses
• Piloted innovative new approaches to working with disadvantaged group

Website http://www.cunninghame-housing.org