John Kernahan reflects on decades in the housing sector

Sep 30 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

WHEN John Kernahan was a wide-eyed lad of 15, he was dispatched round the doors of council houses in his native Ardrossan to gather in the weekly rents.

Now, age 60, he is bowing out of the Perthshire Housing Association he has nurtured from infancy to a 1700-home operation as it merges with Dundee-based Servite to assume a fresh identity as Caledonia Housing Association in the most challenging of economic times.

Chief executive Mr Kernahan is signing-off after 21 years at the helm, having handled investment in affordable housing stock across Perth and Kinross totalling more than £100 million since 1990.

Having operated with just one member of staff from an office tucked away in George Inn Lane, PHA’s first director yesterday reflected on a career dedicated to bringing on-stream affordable housing.

“I seem to remember getting my first pair of long trousers so I could go out and collect the rents round the doors,” he said. “And I quickly realised there could be a decent job for me if I stuck at it.”

A stop-off in Livingston, handling new homes allocations in “covered wagon territory” was followed by promotions and posts in Edinburgh and a 15-year stint as principal housing officer with Dundee District Council.

He first arrived in Perth on a three-year contract in 1988, to set-up the Fairfield Trust with ambitious plans to transform the notorious Hunter Crescent estate. Within two years he was being head-hunted to spearhead the embryonic PHA.

“It was a modest set-up and Friday afternoons would often see pleas from the adjacent Registry office urgently seeking witnesses for a wedding,” he laughed.

“Guys would turn up with their bride but no witnesses and that was a semi-regular occurrence!”

As the innovative housing association began to blossom, with initial developments including Perth’s 53 High Street and Grampian Court, properties in his fiefdom began to mushroom, with around 40 staff now handling an extensive stock with the merger being officially rubber-stamped this weekend.

“I have always been fortunate to enjoy great support from people like the late, great Councillor Davie White, former housing director Gerry Black, legal man George Beaton and successive chairmen Norman Renfrew, Tom Band and Ian McMillan.

“When PHA started out there must have been around a dozen housing associations with a presence in the area,” he said.

“But the aim was to create a local association controlled by local people for the benefit of people in the area in need of accommodation. That was the driving force and despite approaches we never strayed beyond Perth and Kinross.

“The council was very supportive, with so many of their properties sold under the Right to Buy legislation, as was Scottish Homes.

“In those early days much of it was being made up on the hoof, but the opening of Grampian Court signalled a change in pace.

“That was a huge project for us and re-defined our focus. Scottish Homes transferred 101 homes in Newhouse Road to us and the developments included rural projects, big and small.

“I recall an empty school house in Glenlyon being turned into three houses. It had lain empty for years.

“Down the years the stock has expanded massively and it has been a roller coaster. But the ethos has always been about providing affordable homes acros the area.”

From George Inn Lane, Mr Kernahan supervised a series of moves, to addresses including Hay Street, Glover Street and now South St John’s Place.

“I have always been fortunate to have a job which is also my hobby,” he added.

“And I have been lucky to have been surrounded by great staff and board directors with a wealth of experience I could call upon.

“These have been great years, but now it’s time to hang up my rent collectors badge and head off to shady pines.”

With his final AGM behind him, Mr Kernahan plans to combine consultancy in the industry with an expanded ambassadorial role for Homeless International, which has taken him to the Philippines and Mumbai in the past, with a journey to Malawi next on the cards.

“I’ll also be able to give more of my time to the Ecology Centre in Fife,” he said. “I will have plenty to keep myself busy.”

PHA held a reception this week for staff past and present, partner organisations, contractors and consultants to mark the transition to the Caledonia Housing Association.