Celebrating Success at the KHG Excellence Awards

Teams and individuals working in the housing sector across the county have enjoyed success in the annual Kent Housing Group (KHG) Excellence Awards.

The awards – the Oscars for our regional housing sector – celebrate the very best projects, professionals and partnerships across housing in Kent and Medway.

KHG Chair Brian Horton said: “I know that for KHG members, housing delivery is a passion, not a job.”

He was speaking to an audience of more than 100 housing professionals who gathered at the awards ceremony at Eastgate in Northfleet this week.

“These awards are always special. Over the years the judging panel has been touched by the passion and purpose behind the vital contributions colleagues in housing are making in Kent. The ideas, the innovation and the vision that are demonstrated illustrate the caring side of housing and the drive we have to make a difference.

“Our housing sector faces considerable challenges but seeing so many success stories gives us enthusiasm for the art of the possible and enables us all to go back to the day job fully inspired by what we have seen and heard today.”

The winners were announced at an awards ceremony hosted by Becs Wilcox of KHG’s Events Group. The Group is thankful for sponsorship from the Case Management Solutions Group, Southern Housing, Rosherville Repairs and Maintenance Ltd, GPML and the South East Consortium (SEC).

A Special Recognition Award was presented to Shepherdswell with Coldred Community Land Trust (the CLT) in partnership with the English Rural Housing Association. Kent’s first community land trust has delivered 10 new affordable homes for rent at Carpenters Yard, Shepherdswell and is an example that parish councils and other community-led groups can follow to ensure enough rural homes are provided for local people. The project has been supported by the Rural and Community Housing Enabling service (RACE), which was set up in 2023 by the KHG and is being hosted by a KHG member and supported by contributions from councils and housing associations. Visit www.kenthousinggroup.org.uk/race

Category winners and highly commended

  • Special Recognition Award – Shepherdswell with Coldred Community Land Trust in partnership with the English Rural Housing Association
  • Associate Professional – winner Elizabeth Evernden at Mears Limited; highly commended Peter Tidy at Medway Norse
  • Asset Management – winner Asset and Social Housing Decarbonisation Team at Folkestone & Hythe District Council; highly commended Approach to Building Safety on Dampness & Mould at Gravesham Borough Council; and also Approach to Building Safety on Social Housing also at Gravesham Borough Council
  • Community Project – winner Recycled Furniture & Household Goods Project at Gravesham Borough Council and Ellenor Charity
  • Delivering Services for Vulnerable People – two winners in this category – Chatham CFO Activity Hub Women’s Project and Chatham CFO Activity Hub Young Men’s Group, both at Interventions Alliance
  • Development and Regeneration – winner Cambridge Crescent Regeneration Project at Golding Homes; highly commended Alfred, Hampshire & Somerset Close at mhs homes
  • Housing Professional – winner Vic May at Gravesham Borough Council; highly commended Agnes Gehrke at Medway Council; and also Lin Perkins at Golding Homes
  • Innovation – winner Medway Legislative Theatre Project; highly commended Ty Clayson at Thanet District Council
  • Partnership – winner Warm Homes Essentials Project at Kent County Council; highly commended Preventing Homelessness Through Sharing Data at Golding Homes, Maidstone Borough Council and Xantura; and also Employment & Housing Project at Beam with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
  • Private Sector Housing – two winners in this category – Home Energy Advice Team at Thanet District Council; and also Rosherville Repairs & Maintenance Team at Gravesham Borough Council
  • Team of the Year – winner the Aftercare Team at Golding Homes; highly commended Neighbourhood Housing Assistants at Moat
  • Unsung Community Hero/Neighbour of the Year – winner Maxi Card
  • Young Professional of the Year – three winners in this category – Rachael Blyth at Maidstone Borough Council; Freddie Bovingdon at Medway Council; Emily Adlem at Ashford Borough Council; and five highly commended – Hannah Reilly at MHS homes; Sabrina Goacher at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council; Harpreet Dhillon at Moat; Louise Leggett at Medway Council; and Kieran Cooper at Thanet District Council
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