A HOUSING association with offices in Oldham has entered into a new partnership to become landlord for 24,000 homes.

Great Places, which has a base in Union Street, has seen the Financial Conduct Authority approve proposals to transfer the holdings of Equity Housing Group in Cheadle.

The new outfit's operating area will mainly cover Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and South Yorkshire.

Matt Harrison, the firm's chief executive, said: “We have created a financially resilient organisation, which will be more flexible and better placed to deal with the rapidly-changing external environment.

“This has been of huge benefit to our colleagues, who we can support during these difficult times, and to our customers, who we have continued to serve in the best way possible during the crisis.

“We will continue to support colleagues and customers during these difficult times and once we are able to return to a normal working environment, we will set about our ambitious development programme to tackle the housing crisis and enhance our social value offering across our communities.

“Together we will be a more efficient organisation, being able to provide better value for money and improved customer services as we enhance our digital offer.

"The new organisation includes extensive mutual experience in shared ownership and leasehold services with our Equity Living and Plumlife brands.

"Our new partnership provides a genuine opportunity to establish a market-leading offer in this area, alongside a strong market-sales vehicle in Cube Homes."

And Tony Davison, the housing association's chairman, added: “Our new partnership with Equity means we can be uniquely influential across all of Greater Manchester, with an active stake in all 10 metropolitan districts."