Broadland Housing Association

Homes, community & support since 1963

    • homelessness

    Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund success

    As a member of Independent East, Broadland will receive funding from Wave 2 of the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF Wave 2.1) to improve the energy efficiency of its homes.

    Independent East, an informal alliance of housing associations based in Norfolk and Suffolk, has secured almost £9 million in funding to boost energy efficiency in hundreds of social housing homes. The funding is being administered through Broadland Housing Association as the consortium lead.

    Warm, energy-efficient homes

    The funding from Wave 2 of the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF Wave 2.1) will fund the installation of energy-saving measures in 800 homes, such as loft insulation and new windows. The upgrades will mean properties currently below Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C will be brought up to that standard, which will help to:

    • deliver warm, energy efficient homes
    • reduce carbon emissions
    • tackle fuel poverty
    • support green jobs
    • develop the retrofit sector
    • improve the comfort, health, and wellbeing of tenants

    The value of effective partnerships

    We are very proud of the partnership with Independent East members.  This funding shows what an effective partnership can achieve for the benefit of our tenants. This funding will help to improve the energy efficiency of tenants’ homes at a time when fuel bills are at a historic high. We will be focusing on improvements to 5 of our schemes, focusing on upgrading to carbon-friendly heating systems and electricity-generating solar panels, ensuring that the energy performance increases to a minimum of a ‘C’ rating.

    Justin O’Connor, Assistant Asset Director, Broadland Housing Association

    Funding breakdown

    The funding breakdown between the housing associations is as follows:  

    Kettlestone Road, Little Snoring

    A community consultation took place on 27th March 2023, Community Room, Little Snoring, Norfolk

    Broadland Housing Association, a partner of North Norfolk District Council, is considering proposals to develop a local needs mixed-tenure exception housing scheme* at Kettlestone Road, Little Snoring. The scheme would include the following tenures:

    Affordable rent and shared ownership homes would be prioritised to households in housing need who have a local connection to Little Snoring Parish and physically adjoining parishes. Market homes would initially to be marketed to the local community.

    All community feedback has been reported. 

    *affordable rent and shared ownership homes on an exception housing scheme are protected as affordable in perpetuity. Right to Buy / Right to acquire does not apply.

    Aerial shot of proposed development at Kettlestone Road, Little Snoring
    Aerial photo showing location of proposed scheme
    Architect's drawing (overhead view 2) of proposed development at Kettlestone Road, Little Snoring
    Architect’s drawing: aerial view from south-west
    Architect's drawing (overhead view) of proposed development at Kettlestone Road, Little Snoring
    Architect’s drawing: aerial view from south
    Architect's drawing (overhead 3) of proposed development at Kettlestone Road, Little Snoring
    Architect’s drawing: aerial view from north-east
    Architect's drawing (1) of proposed development at Kettlestone Road, Little Snoring
    Architect’s drawing: view from south
    Architect's drawing (2) of proposed development at Kettlestone Road, Little Snoring
    Architect’s drawing: view from west

    5 new homes to support former rough sleepers

    Members of Breckland District Council and Broadland Housing accepting keys to the new homes with people in backbround

    5 new homes to support former rough sleepers

    Five newly built homes in Thetford will be used to house former rough sleepers in Breckland and help them take the next steps into long-term accommodation. It is the culmination of a £926,000 partnership project between Broadland Housing Association and Breckland Council which is designed to tackle homelessness in the district.

    Councillor Paul Claussen, Executive Member for Economic Development and Growth at Breckland Council, and Michael Newey, Chief Executive of Broadland Housing Association, were given the keys to the new homes at a ceremony to mark the end of the 8-month construction project.

    The 5 x 1-bedroom homes – 4 houses and 1 bungalow – have been built with a timber frame design for speed of construction and to ensure low embodied carbon. The new homes, constructed by local firm H Smith of Honingham, are energy-efficient, with air source heat pumps.

    The 5 residents of the new homes had all previously been sleeping rough, with one of them having done so for 4 years. Before moving into the new homes in Thetford, they have lived in Breckland Council’s supported accommodation, supported by Solo Housing to prepare for their tenancy. That support will continue as the residents take on their own tenancies. Eventually the aim is that they will move on from these homes into long-term rental tenancies.

    Councillor Paul Claussen, Executive Member for Economic Development and Growth at Breckland Council, commented:

    By working in partnership on this project we have been able to lever in national funding to help deliver high quality, low carbon housing for some of the district’s most vulnerable residents. These properties will not only support former rough sleepers to access housing locally, but it will also help them rebuild their lives and become independent again. We want to end rough sleeping for good and through innovative programmes like this we’re on track to ensure no one is forced to spend a night on the streets or isolated in our community.”

    Michael Newey added:

    This project is a great example of what can be achieved when organisations such as Breckland Council and Broadland Housing work together in partnership to tackle the problem of homelessness. Both Breckland and Broadland are members of the Norfolk Strategic Housing Alliance, and this is a great example of when partners – including the support provider – work together to help end homelessness in Norfolk.

    These much-needed energy-efficient homes have been built to the high-quality standards we have for all our homes. By bringing back into use a piece of surplus land, we can ensure that more people leave the streets and can have a home to call their own.

    Outside new homes on Elm Road
    Kitchen of one of the new homes
    dining and living space
    bathroom

    7 new homes handed over to tackle homelessness in Norwich

    7 new homes handed over to tackle homelessness in Norwich

    Broadland Housing and Norwich City Council have built 7 new homes for people formerly sleeping rough on the streets.

    The 7 x 1-bedroom homes on Ketts Hill in Norwich were built with funding from the Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme. This will also pay for support workers to help the residents settle into their new homes and rebuild their lives.

    At the handover ceremony, Councillor Gail Harris, Norwich City Council’s cabinet member for social housing, joined Michael Newey, Chief Executive, and representatives from our design and construction partners.

    Joint initiative

    Broadland has built the homes on land provided by Norwich City Council, which provided capital alongside grant funding from Homes England.

    The new homes were built with a timber-frame design for speed of construction and to ensure low embodied carbon.  Each property has its own small front garden. 

    Councillor Harris said:

    The City Council is committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness, and through our successful collaborative work with partners like Broadland Housing Association, we are finding new and innovative ways to offer targeted support to those who need it.

    I’m thrilled to see these new homes handed over, which will provide the accommodation and support needed to help former rough sleepers live independent, happy lives. It is fantastic that each home has its own outdoor space, and I can’t wait to hear how the new residents settle in.

    Gail Harris, cabinet member for social housing, Norwich City Council

    Michael Newey added:

    This site will provide high-quality, affordable housing for those in desperate need of accommodation and support – another development which will transform lives.

    This project builds on the continual partnership working between the City Council and Broadland Housing Association in tackling some of the most difficult sites and developments to bring much-needed affordable accommodation to the city.

    These homes will once again be built to the high-quality standards we have for all our homes.  These new homes, in the heart of Norwich on a disused piece of land, will ensure that more people leave the streets and can have a home to call their own.

    Michael Newey, Chief Executive, Broadland Housing Association

    Vital community scheme

    Norwich-based property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood provided architectural and utility design services for the new homes. The builders were H Smith & Sons of Honingham, and the timber frame was manufactured in Norfolk by Timber Frame Management.

    Chris Stammers, Director and Architect at Ingleton Wood, said:

    Ketts Hill provides immediate support for those in desperate housing need across Norwich and we are proud to have supported this vital community scheme.

    Featuring a contemporary take on a traditional terrace, Ketts Hill provides high-quality living accommodation and essential facilities within an attractive setting. The project has been an exemplar of positive multi-agency collaboration.

    Homelessness strategy day 2023 – Homes for Cathy

    Last week Broadland Housing attended a national Homes for Cathy strategy day on tackling homelessness.

    Around 30 other Homes for Cathy members and housing sector partners took part in the event, hosted by Hightown Housing Association.

    Michael Newey at Homes for Cathy strategy meeting 2023 (3rd from left)
    Broadland Housing Chief Executive Michael Newey (3rd from left)

    Our Chief Executive Michael Newey shared Broadland’s journey in working towards the 9 Homes for Cathy commitments.

    Homelessness prevention is not all about care and  supported housing. It should permeate into every area of a housing association’s policy and operations.

    Michael Newey, Chief Executive

    Also among the speakers on the day, Holly Dagnall of Nottingham Community Housing Association described her organisation’s progress to meet the Homes for Cathy commitments.

    Chris Hancock from Crisis explained why homelessness is a housing problem and not about ‘fixing the individual’. He reported that B&B usage has tripled in the last 10 years. Also, that around 300,000 UK households could be forced into homelessness in 2023, driven by the cost of living and impacts of the pandemic.

    Key themes and insights

    During the strategy meeting, members and partners discussed :
    – Housing associations ARE homelessness organisations – if not us, who?
    – Board and executive team buy-in for adopting the Homes for Cathy commitments is crucial; an organisation’s work around homelessness should filter down from a strategic level.
    – Embedding the commitments is a continuous process, particularly with staff changes – it’s about a culture shift within your organisation.
    – Operational outcomes in housing are equally as important as homelessness services (although they are vital too!).
    – Data is king – knowing and sharing your data around homelessness metrics/KPIs such as evictions, abandonments and lettings to homeless households helps track the progress your organisation is making and motivates and empowers colleagues to do more.
    – Sharing stories is key – every organisation approaches the commitments in their own way and the good practice shared through the Homes for Cathy network is invaluable.


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