A partnership between Gentoo Group and three local contractors has invested £10.3 million into more than 700 homes across Sunderland during its first year. The Gentogether programme, which launched in April 2025, is focused on modernising internal facilities for residents living in properties managed by the housing association.
During the first year of the 10-year project, work carried out in homes across the city included the installation of 571 new kitchens and 190 new bathrooms, along with 571 full electrical rewires. The partnership, which was formed to oversee £170 million of internal improvements, involves Esh Construction, RE:GEN Group, and PHS Solutions.
The initiative has recorded a 90% customer satisfaction rate, a figure aided by a recruitment process that featured five tenants on the interview panel. Beyond physical upgrades, the partnership has generated £2.3 million in social value through support for local employment and community activities. This figure is expected to grow, with a total of £32 million in social value projected over the full decade of the programme.
Looking ahead, the collaboration is set to increase its pace, with plans to improve more than 900 homes during the 2026/27 period. Over the first three years, the group has committed to investing £36.5 million to modernise approximately 3,000 properties.
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