A HOUSING association has laid strong foundations and made a real difference to the community in its first year.

That was the view of staff of Worcester Community Hous-ing and of its tenants at its first annual meeting.

However, chairman Nick Baldwin pointed out that as well as reviewing the progress made, they also had to look at the challenges they faced.

He said: "Our first year of trading was exciting and challenging. Expectations on and around us are high and demanding and rightly so.

"This said we've made substantial progress, laying strong foundations for the future and beginning to make a real difference to local homes, lives and communities.

"Great steps have been taken to meet the promises made to tenants back in March 2004 when the transfer of their homes from Worcester City Council took place."

The annual report contained several highlights of the year. These included:

l More than £5.1m has been spent on homes. This includes installing 308 new bathrooms, 332 new kitchens, new windows and/or doors at 517 homes, rewiring 232 homes, replacing 20 central heating systems and 199 boilers.

l Service enhancements and improvements have seen a new rent payment card that gives tenants a choice of local locations to pay their rent.

l An affordable home contents insurance scheme was available exclusively to WCH tenants.

l A new anti-social behaviour team was put in place.

Other successes include setting the scene for more tenant involvement in decision making and extensive training and development opportunities for WCH staff.

"Progress has been good but there is still much to do. We are confident the first year foundations we have laid will help to make sure our tenants enjoy good quality, well managed and well maintained homes,'' said Mr Baldwin.