In the UK’s evolving social housing sector, delivering high-quality property maintenance is only part of the equation. Today’s housing providers are expected not only to repair and refurbish homes but to build stronger, more resilient communities in the process.
This shift is rooted in the growing focus on social value in housing maintenance—an approach that measures success not just by compliance or cost-efficiency, but by the positive social impact created for residents, neighbourhoods, and local economies.
Cardo Group has made social value a core pillar of its delivery model. Through targeted community engagement, meaningful resident partnerships, and investment in local employment, the company is redefining what it means to deliver tenant-focused housing services across the UK.
At its core, social value in housing maintenance refers to the broader benefits that service delivery can bring to a community. These include:
Rather than being an “add-on,” social value is now a contractual requirement for many public sector tenders. But for Cardo Group, it’s more than a tick-box—it’s a long-standing commitment to delivering public services that uplift the communities they serve.
Strong community engagement is the foundation of any effective social value strategy. Cardo Group embeds this by working directly with residents, tenant boards, and community leaders before, during, and after maintenance works.
Initiatives include:
These efforts ensure that residents aren’t just passive recipients of services, but active participants in shaping them. By fostering open communication, Cardo Group builds trust, reduces disruption, and improves satisfaction—all while supporting more tenant-focused delivery.
Beyond engagement, Cardo Group forms resident partnerships that generate long-term social benefit. This includes collaborating with tenants and local stakeholders on:
In several boroughs, residents have been involved in designing green spaces, reviewing contract KPIs, and piloting digital tenant portals—all examples of how resident partnerships contribute to smarter, more inclusive services.
These collaborations improve outcomes and reinforce the principle that social housing works best when tenants are given a seat at the table.
One of the most measurable ways Cardo Group delivers social value in housing maintenance is through local employment.
Wherever possible, Cardo recruits from the communities it serves. This reduces unemployment, stimulates local economies, and builds a workforce that reflects the diversity of the resident population.
Key employment initiatives include:
Cardo’s approach supports both short-term job creation and long-term career development—offering stability and growth to individuals while strengthening service delivery with locally invested teams.
Across UK housing, social value is now central to public sector procurement. Frameworks such as the Social Value Model (launched by the Cabinet Office) require service providers to:
Cardo Group aligns its delivery model with these outcomes by embedding social value into every stage of the contract lifecycle—from bid development and mobilisation to long-term service planning.
This approach not only ensures regulatory compliance but also reinforces Cardo’s reputation as a socially responsible delivery partner for councils and housing associations.
A key part of Cardo Group’s social value work is tenant education—ensuring residents have the knowledge and tools to make the most of their homes.
This includes:
These efforts support independence, reduce complaints, and help tenants feel more confident in managing their homes. By putting people first, Cardo Group creates more sustainable tenancies and stronger landlord-tenant relationships.
Cardo Group actively reinvests in the communities it serves through:
These initiatives are developed in partnership with residents and community leaders to ensure they are relevant, inclusive, and high-impact. This reinforces Cardo’s commitment to not only maintaining homes—but enriching lives.
To maintain accountability, Cardo Group tracks and reports on its social value outcomes across all contracts. Metrics include:
Regular reporting helps clients and residents see the tangible impact of Cardo’s work. It also supports continuous improvement and ensures that every programme contributes real value—not just goodwill.
Cardo Group’s social value strategy is closely aligned with the broader goals of the UK housing sector, including:
By integrating these objectives into everyday maintenance delivery, Cardo Group positions itself not just as a contractor—but as a long-term social partner in community development.
In the modern era of social housing, delivering quality services means looking beyond repairs and into the heart of the community. Through meaningful community engagement, inclusive resident partnerships, and investment in local employment, Cardo Group is demonstrating how maintenance contracts can deliver real social value.
Their work across the UK shows that with the right strategy and commitment, housing providers can transform not just homes—but lives.
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Explore how Cardo Group delivers social impact through housing maintenance across communities in the UK.