A total of 97.3% of the respondents voted for the transfer with an impressive 73.3% of tenants participating in the vote which was open for 29 days.

In December 2018, Trust was unanimously selected by the WDHA board, tenants and staff involved in the selection process.

The two housing associations have worked together to create a partnership proposal which has been shaped by WDHA’s tenants through months of direct engagement.

The shareholding members will now be invited to two general meetings on October 7th and 22nd to approve and then confirm a special transfer resolution which is a legal requirement.

One the transfer has been completed, Wishaw & District will cease to exist as a housing association, as Trust will become responsible for delivering the homes and services which WDHA currently delivers.

The transfer is expected to be completed in December this year, subject to final consents being achieved.

Trust is now preparing to start delivering on the promises it made to WDHA tenants. Some of these promises include a rent guarantee, further investments in homes and the local environment and new affordable housing on the prominent Main Street site in Wishaw which has been derelict for several years.

Services will continue to be delivered by the local staff team based in Wishaw.

Julia Mulloy, WDHA’s chairperson, said: “The Board were very happy with the package of transfer promises that we secured from Trust. These will make a huge positive difference to our tenants in terms of improved rent affordability and additional investment in homes and communities. Our staff will continue to provide great local services to our tenants, but with the backing and scale of Trust. We were delighted that so many tenants took the opportunity to vote with a clear majority voting in favour. This provides a strong mandate for Trust going forward to deliver on the promises they have made.”

Rhona McLeod, Trust’s CEO, added: “We are absolutely thrilled that the Wishaw & District tenants have voted in favour of the transfer and we look forward to welcoming them – as well as the factored owners and other customers – and the fantastic staff team into the Trust family in the coming months. The partnership will combine the strengths, capabilities, assets and traditions of both organisations to create a stronger entity that can deliver a thriving future for tenants, other customers and staff.”