Manningham Housing Association Celebrates 40th Anniversary
By Barry White
At a glance
Manningham Housing Association celebrated its 40th anniversary, highlighting its achievements in providing affordable housing in Bradford and Keighley since its founding in 1986. The event featured performances and speeches, noting the organisation's growth to managing over 1,400 homes and its recognition for community-focused initiatives. The association announced plans to deliver up to 150 new affordable homes, emphasising its ongoing commitment to supporting diverse communities and enhancing living conditions.
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) marked 40 years of providing affordable homes for individuals and families in Bradford district with a celebratory event at city centre venue Bradford Live.
The packed audience enjoyed performances by Dixons Manningham Academy Choir, a traditional Baul music ensemble and the energetic cultural group Punjab Roots, alongside an awards ceremony and the cutting of a stunning anniversary cake.
Welcoming guests - including Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Kersten England CBE - MHA Chair Rupert Pometsey said the organisation was set up in 1986 following a rigorous six-month research project by Bradford’s Bangladeshi Youth Organisation.
“At that time, many people in the district were living in chronic, overcrowded conditions with reports of up to 18 people sharing a single house,” he explained.
“Bradford Council needed evidence before they could invest in new housing, so awarded a £3,000 grant to Bangladeshi Youth Organisation - led by its legendary Centre Manager, Fazlul Haq - to conduct research and report back.
“Its findings proved that the housing needs of BME communities in Bradford district were clearly not being addressed, particularly the requirement for larger homes for South Asian families.”
Mr Pometsey told the audience that MHA now manages more than 1,400 homes in Bradford and Keighley, 75 per cent of which are large family properties.
“In the early 1990s, Manningham Housing Association achieved global recognition when the United Nations hailed its community-focused social housing and regeneration initiatives, describing them as ‘hugely successful,’” he continued.
“In the 2000s, MHA expanded its social responsibilities, including by acquiring land to establish a dedicated women and children’s refuge for domestic violence victims, and by actively supporting the rehousing of international refugees.”
Mr Pometsey said the association suffered a temporary setback a decade ago when the Regulator of Social Housing temporarily lowered its governance rating to a G3 grade.
But the arrival of Barrington Billings as MHA Chair in 2017, and the appointment of Lee Bloomfield as MHA Chief Executive the following year, set the organisation on course for an unprecedented run of success.
“Under their leadership, MHA completely overhauled its operations and regained the highest possible G1, V1 regulatory ratings,” he said.
“As a result of the dedication and professionalism of our incredible staff, the association has earned and retained the Customer Service Excellence quality mark. We have also become the first housing association in the world to achieve the international Standard for Diversity and Inclusion in HR Management, and won numerous regional and national awards.”
Mr Pometsey added: “Our people are incredibly important to us. Enabling them to reach their full potential is at the heart of all we do. But there can be no resting on our laurels - and that is because of the individuals, families and communities we exist to serve.”
MHA Chief Executive Lee Bloomfield told the gathering that everyone in the room should take great pride in the many lives the association had changed for the better over the past four decades.
He said: “I want to make it clear this evening that, in my view, the best is yet to come.
“Earlier this year, the Board approved our new Corporate Strategy which restated our vision to provide quality homes, empower BME and other communities, and create opportunities that help people to live well and thrive.
“A key component of this is our new Growth Strategy, the vehicle through which we are putting together plans to deliver up to 150 new affordable homes in the coming years. Every one of the new homes will have the potential to change the lives of each individual and family who takes up residence.”
Mr Bloomfield also referenced a series of additional MHA strategies - covering areas including tenant engagement; people and culture; and equality, diversity and inclusion - which had been carefully considered by the Board and were inter-linked.
He continued: “Taken together, they provide the roadmap for the next 40 years of success for MHA - and hopefully many more after that.”
Concluding his remarks, the MHA Chief Executive said: “I want to thank Board members - past and present - for their support.
“And I pay special tribute to my team for all they do to make Manningham Housing Association what it is today. Their professionalism, skill, foresight and dedication make them a credit to the organisation, to Bradford district and to themselves. I am immensely proud of every one of them.”
Editorial insight
Manningham Housing Association’s 40th anniversary marks a significant milestone for one of Bradford’s key social housing providers, reflecting four decades of work to address the district’s acute need for affordable, culturally appropriate homes. The organisation’s origins are rooted in a community-led response to overcrowding and unmet housing needs among Bradford’s South Asian and wider BME populations, a challenge that remains relevant amid ongoing pressures on social housing across the UK.
While the anniversary is a moment for reflection, the association’s leadership has pointed to new strategic ambitions, including plans for further development and a continued focus on diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. For local stakeholders and residents, the event serves as both a recognition of progress and a reminder of the persistent demand for affordable housing, particularly for larger families and vulnerable groups in Bradford and Keighley.
Story ideas and journalist angles
RegulationRegulatory Recovery and Future Plans of Manningham Housing Association
Investigate how Manningham Housing Association overcame regulatory challenges to achieve high standards and their future strategic plans, including housing development and community empowerment.
Target audience who would cover this Story potential 6/10 Local/communityImpact of Manningham Housing Association on Bradford’s BME Communities
Explore how Manningham Housing Association has influenced housing for Bradford's BME communities over the past 40 years, examining improvements in living conditions and social support.
Target audience who would cover this Story potential 7/10Issued by Vanbar Associates. Distributed by WebPR UK.
About Vanbar Associates
About Manningham Housing Association Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has a proud track record of delivering homes and services to communities in Bradford and Keighley. It was founded in 1986 following a piece of research on the housing needs of Black and Asian communities in Bradford. This research proved that the needs of the South Asian community were not being addressed. With an annual turnover of £8.5 million and a staff of 44, the association now manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents. Around 75 per cent of MHA properties are large family homes with three or more bedrooms. Over 80 per cent of MHA residents are of South Asian origin but the association proudly serves all of those in need. MHA holds a G1 rating for governance and a V1 rating for financial viability from the Regulator of Social Housing. In addition to holding the Customer Service Excellence quality mark, MHA is the first housing association in the country to be officially accredited for its work in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.