First Housing Association to be awarded Living Wage Employer status

PRESS RELEASE

Ark Housing Achieves Living Wage Employer Status

Ark Housing has become the first Housing Association in Northern Ireland to become an accredited Living Wage Employer.

One of only three accredited organisations in Northern Ireland, the trail blazing Association has been a strong advocate of the UK wide campaign to ensure that all employees are valued, recognised and supported in their employment by receiving the living wage rate currently £7.65, being paid as the minimum rate within the organisation.

The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually, based on the cost of living in the UK. In the last ten years over 45,000 people have been lifted out of poverty. It is a win-win for business as well with over 80% of employers highlighting benefits to their business such as enhanced quality of work, reductions in absenteeism of 25% and a significant positive impact on recruitment and employee retention as well as increasing customer awareness of their organisations commitment to be an ethical employer.

Rhys Moore Director of the Living Wage Foundation said “The benefits the Living Wage brings to staff and business are clear. I welcome the leadership shown by Ark Housing Association on this important issue”

 Tony Ruddy Chief Executive of Ark     Housing said “I am delighted that we have achieved Living Wage Employer     status and to be the first Housing Association in Northern Ireland to do     so. Every employee has the right to be afforded respect and dignity and it     is unacceptable that an increasing number of families in employment are     remaining in poverty, trapped in a cycle of low wages and who are depending     on support through tax credits and welfare benefits.

As a social enterprise employer there is     no excuse not to be part of the Living Wage campaign and I would urge all     our colleagues in the voluntary housing sector to join up now and help     tackle the problems associated with low wages”

He added “I would like to pay tribute to my Chairman and Members of the Board who have been very supportive of our plans to become an accredited Living Wage Employer and I am delighted that we can lead the way for the rest of the housing and SME sectors in Northern Ireland”                      

Contact: Sunita Chada, Corporate Services Officer, Ark Housing Association, Units 17/18, North City Business Centre, Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GG

Tel: 028 9075 2310; www.arkhousing.co.uk; Email: [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

About Ark Housing

• Ark Housing is a registered housing association with the Department for Social Development (DSD) and the Industrial & Provident Society Registrar (IPS).
• We provide social rented accommodation throughout Northern Ireland for families, elderly, people with disabilities, singles and others in housing need.
• Working with our partners, we provide housing and support services to people recovering from mental illness, those with learning difficulties and homeless families.
• We are a registered charity and ‘not for profit’ organisation.
• We are the only housing association in Northern Ireland to own, manage and directly deliver support services to homeless families at our centres in Belfast

About Living Wage Campaign

• The Living Wage is a UK wide campaign which has been operating for over ten years and is part of the Citizens UK Charity www.citizensuk.org
• The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and is based on the UK cost of living
• The current rate is £7.65 per hour
• 45,000 people have been removed from poverty as a result of the LWR
• A Living Wage Employer ensures that all employees aged over 18 years are paid at least the living wage rate

Further information can be obtained from the web site: www.livingwage.org.uk

“Ark Housing working in partnership to provide quality homes and strong communities