MANNINGHAM HOUSING ASSOCIATION

THE HISTORICAL SETTING

In the beginning...  
Manningham Housing Association was formed in 1986. It is a specialist black and minority ethnic (BME) association operating across Bradford. The association has 769 units of general needs accommodation, of which nearly half are of four bedrooms or more. The large numbers of extended family homes results in a very large client base of over 5,000 residents. The association has a development pipeline of 170 units, most of which is currently on site at an estimated cost of £18,000,000 (March 2004).  The association has a strong role in developing new homes and will be bidding for SHG in 2004/6 bid round with strong support from the local authority.  
  
Life now..    
Manningham has a good relationship with the local authority and has established effective links with the LSVT Trusts in anticipation of any future development partnerships. Manningham has a strong track record on delivering development schemes, underpinned by a good level of demand for its stock and prudent financial control, which has maintained surpluses at a healthy level. 

The association has forty staff (inclusive of supported housing staff, estate officers).
  
Between times...  
1986-1990 
The Bangladeshi Youth Organisation conducted a feasibility study to establish demand for large family houses. Registration by the Housing Corporation. Charitable Trust support is secured. The Housing Corporation establishes a special capital framework for larger houses. The new mixed funding capital system follows the 1988 Housing Act. The changes made earlier which enabled the development of large family houses were omitted. Case made to The Housing Corporation and generous multiplier provided.

The association decides to meet the needs of a broader range of ethnic minorities across the Bradford District. Approaches are made to various community interests, particularly African and Caribbean agencies.
  
1991 - 99
Development arrangements with Bradford & Northern HA (now Accent Housing). The association is cited as an example of best practice in the Habitat 11 UN City Summit. Manningham HA also embarks on a programme of tenant participation with support from The Housing Corporation.

The concept of mutual aid is piloted successfully at the Byron Street new homes. The association changes its approach to lettings by encouraging mutual aid contributions.

A project meeting the needs of women fleeing violence is completed. 
  
2000 to present
Rent controls - government's proposals to re-structure social housing rents linked to earnings (70%) and capital values (30%).

Choice based lettings are hugely successful in attracting BME clients. Manningham joins Homehunter. 

Successful registration of six new companies (Bradford Community Housing Trust) derived from the transfer of Bradford Council’s housing stock to RSLs will provide added competition and new partnership opportunities.

There are plans to deliver housing investment via regional government, though the strong role of the Housing Corporation is maintained. There is a greater emphasis towards mixed development and provision of opportunities for home ownership. Locally, A more aggressive PPG3 approach from the local authority presents opportunities.

Supporting People changes introduced with a budget overspend of some £400 million nationally, ODPM announces a 2.5% cut (5% in real terms) and we expect similar reductions for the BWSP and Dispersed supported housing provision.
  
If you wish to know more, please click here.

Manningham Housing Association, a specialist housing association providing accomodation for large families and diverse minority communities in Bradford and Keighley, West Yorkshire, promotes tenant involvement and regeneration of local communities in addition to providing development of new homes and services to meet the housing and support needs for the community.
Contact us for enquiries, search our available homes, view our site map or fill out an opinion survey today.