Steve Ellard, Property Director at Ongo celebrates one year at Ongo

This month marks one year since Steve Ellard joined Ongo as Property Director, and what a year it’s been. With a strong background in housing and a passion for community-focused work, Steve stepped into the role at a time of significant challenge and opportunity.

His mission was clear, to strengthen the investment in existing homes, enhance the repairs service, and take on the exciting challenge of new build development, all during a period of intense scrutiny across the housing sector.

Steve joined Ongo drawn by its deep roots in the community and the opportunity to make a tangible difference. “I wanted to be part of an organisation that puts people first,” he says. “But I was also ready to take on the challenge of balancing the investment and maintenance of existing homes with the new and exciting world of development.”

From day one, Steve recognised the dedication of the teams already in place. “There was a real sense of commitment from colleagues across the board. We had an impressive new build programme already underway, but like many in the sector, we faced big challenges around maintaining existing homes, ensuring building safety, and improving the repairs service. We know this is what matters most to our customers.”

To tackle these challenges head-on, Steve introduced two key leadership roles, one focused on maintenance and the other on asset management to bring sharper oversight and clearer direction.

Under Steve’s leadership, Ongo has seen significant progress including a 25% increase in the size of the repair’s workforce and a marked improvement in the number of homes meeting the Decent Homes Standard.

They’ve also gained a greater understanding of housing stock through comprehensive condition surveys and a stronger oversight of building compliance.

Perhaps the most striking achievement has been the reduction in outstanding repairs, down by over 15% in just two months. “That’s the clearest sign we’re moving in the right direction,” Steve says. “It means we can start to respond faster and deliver a more reliable service to our customers.”

Beyond the numbers, Steve is most proud of the renewed sense of pride among teams. “You can feel the shift,” he says. “Colleagues are regaining confidence and belief in the service we’re delivering, and that’s what they come to work for – to make a difference.”

The journey doesn’t stop here. Over the next year, Steve is focused on continuing to improve the repairs service and driving up customer satisfaction. “We’re already investing more in existing homes than ever before, but we want to go further,” he says. “And we’ll keep pushing forward with our ambitious development programme to deliver the new homes our communities need.”

When asked what he loves most about working at Ongo, Steve doesn’t hesitate: “The people. Whether it’s my brilliant colleagues or the fantastic tenants I speak with, it’s the people that make Ongo special. Not every housing association puts customers at the heart of everything the way Ongo does.”

“I want to say a heartfelt thank you to my team and to our tenants for the warm welcome and support over the past year. It’s been a privilege to work alongside such passionate and committed people. Together, we’ve made real progress, and I’m excited about what we can achieve in the year ahead.”

To find out more about Ongo’s future plans or the services they offer, follow them on social media or head to their website: www.ongo.co.uk.