About First Wessex

First Wessex Housing Group was formed in 2005 when the Atlantic Housing Group and Pavilion Housing Group joined forces. In April 2007 Portsmouth Housing Association joined the group, making the First Wessex Housing Group one of the largest housing groups in Hampshire.

Our 16,000 homes are located primarily in Hampshire and some activity Surrey and Thames Valley. As well as providing accommodation for rent, our services include housing for older people, extra-care housing, key worker homes, shared ownership properties and other specialist accommodation. We offer support services for families living in temporary accommodation, families having difficulties managing their tenancies, or families suffering from the impact of relationship breakdown and provide assistance to vulnerable young people aged 16 – 25.

In addition to Atlantic, Pavilion and Portsmouth Housing Association, the First Wessex Housing Group also comprises:

• Wessex Property Services(WPS) is the group's management, maintenance and contracting arm. As well as carrying out repairs to resident's homes, WPS also provides maintenance & contracting services to local authorities, organisations and individuals.
• Fernhill Care provides care services for tenants of First Wessex Housing Group and other landlords and for individuals in the community with support needs. It specialises in extra-care housing and housing for older people with dementia.
• The Roberts Centre provides support services for families living in temporary accommodation, families having difficulties managing their tenancies, or families suffering from the impact of relationship breakdown. The centre runs ‘Learning through play’ sessions (parenting and child development), Holiday play schemes, the Roberts Day Nursery and Child Contact Centres in Portsmouth and Southampton.
• The Portsmouth Foyer provides a unique mixed community for vulnerable young people aged 16 – 25.  This includes accommodation, ‘move on’ opportunities and employment support as well as personal and social development and training for young people. The Portsmouth Foyer is a Learndirect Centre with a varied programme of information technology courses, together with essential skills (literacy and numeracy). This centre is open to residents and the local community.