The judges have picked out Blackpool for its ground-breaking initiatives to help care leavers and young people put down roots and create stable homes for themselves, and also cite the ALMO’s focus on improving the life chances of the most disadvantaged through arts programmes and substance recovery work.

SHG’s efforts to be a housing provider that ensures “entrepreneurship and commercialisation go hand in hand with social impact” is mentioned in its shortlist citation.

And, in fact, several Stockport Homes teams have won through to the finalists’ list – for best resident involvement initiative, resident support programme of the year, its furniture recycling project Skylight, and the categories for best approach to building safety and best repairs and maintenance team.

“It is heartening to see our members leading the field in so many areas of housing management – and we wish both of them the best of luck at the May awards ceremony,” said NFA Managing Director Eamon McGoldrick.