Magna Housing is delighted to announce it has joined the PlaceShapers network of more than 100 community-focused housing associations.

Magna is a medium-sized, forward-looking housing association, providing high-quality and affordable homes across Dorset and Somerset. We own and manage around 9,000 properties and have a workforce of about 450 people. Our vision is to create great homes together, working closely with customers and partners.

Selina White, Chief Executive of Magna, said: “We believe in the power of partnership and collaboration. There has never been a more challenging time for the housing sector and no single organisation has all the answers, or indeed the resources, to tackle the current and future challenges. We want to work with other community-based organisations on resolving issues together.”

PlaceShapers Chair Matthew Walker said: “PlaceShapers is a network of like-minded organisations who share a commitment to helping local communities thrive. “Together we are ambitious for our communities, committed to long-term solutions, united in our purpose, and firmly in it for the longer term.

“We know our voice and impact is stronger together; we connect, communicate and collaborate for greater influence.

“Together we are ambitious for our communities, committed to long-term solutions, united in our purpose, and firmly in it for the longer term.

“Magna shares this ethos and we are delighted to welcome them to the network.”

Membership is assessed by the PlaceShapers Board of the housing association chief executives, based on:

  • Demonstrating a long-standing commitment to the places it operates and how it strives to improve the social and economic resilience of the communities it works with.
  • Putting residents and customers at the centre of what it does and ensures they have real influence on the organisation.
  • Being locally focused and works actively with local authorities and local partners to improve and shape places at a strategic and operational level.
  • Building homes that respond to local housing needs and providing more than just landlord services because it cares about the people and places where it works.