Gloucester City Homes (GCH) has been reflecting on a year in which it built its 500th home.

The community-based housing organisation, which currently delivers housing services to around 12,500 customers in over 5,000 homes in the Gloucester area, has published its annual report.

Chief executive Guy Stenson said: "It is vitally important that we help and support our tenants and their communities, recognising the social and economic challenges that the cost-of-living crisis has created.

"Gloucester has just under 5,000 on the waiting list and we play a critical role in meeting housing need, particularly for those that are priced out of the housing market, living in substandard and overcrowded conditions, paying expensive rent to private landlords they struggle to afford, and in worst cases, becoming homeless.

"We help shape our communities by working with a range of community partners. We also use our strategic influence, our powers, creativity and abilities to create prosperous and safe communities across Gloucester."

During the year 2022/23 GCH received 240 complaints and 100 compliments. Thirty-five complaints were escalated to stage 2 and only one complaint was referred to the Housing Ombudsman who has yet to review it.

The report highlighted a number of initiatives including GCH supporting new and existing residents' groups in the city to work together on local issues.

As of April 2023, GCH brought the care and maintenance of its green spaces in house.

And during the colder months, Warm Spaces made sure people were able to spend time with each other in a warm environment.

GCH has invested in more CCTV cameras to keep its communities safe.

On Wednesday, Punchline reported that GCH had struck a £130 million funding deal with Natwest. 

The finance package includes £30m in new funding for investment in existing and new homes.