Three housing organisations have been shortlisted as potential partners to merge with Wishaw and District Housing Association (WDHA).

Expressions of interest were sought from associations in August, with Cairn Housing Association, Link Group and Trust Housing Association invited to proceed.

The move followed a strategic review of the future options for Wishaw and District Housing Association, that resulted in the Board deciding that it was in the best interests of the tenants and other service users for the Association to merge through a ‘transfer of engagement’ with another association. This means that the other association chosen would take over WDHA.

Brenda Higgins, chair of WDHA, said: “We are pleased that our invitation attracted such interest and that we have been able to shortlist such high quality potential partners. All of those shortlisted have the potential to offer real benefits to the association and our tenants.”

Tenants and staff will be involved in the selection process. This will include arranging visits to assess how the associations deal with issues such as customer care, tenant engagement and staff relations.

The feedback will be considered by the Board, which will also review how each organisation is run, its finances, wider cultural fit and ability to address the priorities of tenants, staff and the wider community. The Board is likely to make a decision on the preferred partner around Christmas time.

This will be followed by extensive consultation and communication with tenants, residents and staff, with the tenants and residents being assisted by an independent advisor, the Tenants Information Service (TIS). Ultimately, the tenants will be asked to agree to the proposal in a ballot. The transfer can only take place with the tenants’ agreement.