Cross Keys Homes

Cross Keys Homes: affordable housing and community services in the east of England

Cross Keys Homes is an organisation based in Peterborough that describes itself as a commercial business with a social heart. Its main activity is the provision of affordable homes for rent and sale, with a portfolio that includes both new and existing homes. The organisation presents itself as one of the region's leading providers of affordable housing and states a development programme aimed at delivering 1,000 homes over the next three years in the east of England.

Renting and buying homes

Cross Keys Homes' offer includes rentals and shared ownership schemes. Among its developments is Indigo, a housing development in the city centre with rents set 20% below market value, with no service charges and no hidden costs, according to published information. The company also markets two and three bedroom homes under shared ownership, and organises open days to view its developments, such as those held at Haddon Fields and Indigo.

Resident support services

The organisation offers a wide range of advice and support services to its tenants. These include money advice, support for people experiencing domestic abuse, help dealing with anti-social behaviour, guidance on finding work and training programmes. It has a home care service, Cross Keys Care, established in 2013, which helps people live independently in their own homes with daily tasks and companionship. It also has the CKH Skills Hub, a LifeLine helpline, computer workshops, mental health support and social groups.

Community centres and neighbourhood involvement

Cross Keys Homes manages community spaces such as the South Bretton Family and Community Centre, the Westwood Community Hub and a wellbeing garden. The organisation encourages residents to get involved in the life of their neighbourhoods through volunteering opportunities, work clubs and events. It also organises activities such as the Calm and Craft Kids programme for children, clean-up days and gardening workshops, and youth employment events such as Opportunity 2026 and the Peterborough youth employment conference.

Housing management and tenant relationship

Residents can manage their rent and other matters through the online MyCKH portal, which allows them to check balances, view rent statements, report non-emergency repairs 24 hours a day and update contact details. The company carries out an annual tenancy visit to each home, conducted by the neighbourhood manager, to review the condition of the home and the tenancy. It also has a repairs handbook and provides information on safety in the home, changes to the home and contents insurance.

Corporate profile and funding

Cross Keys Homes presents itself as a dynamic organisation that responds to change with agility and innovation. Its recent awards and partnerships include obtaining a Youth Guarantee Trailblazer grant to expand youth employment support in Peterborough, as well as a £50 million loan from HSBC UK for the development of new homes and investment in existing ones. The company has a governance structure that includes a board of directors and directors, and publishes information on its performance, policies and tenant satisfaction measures.

Location and contact

Shrewsbury Avenue, Peterborough PE2 7BZ