Broadland Housing Association

Homes, community & support since 1963

    • Norfolk

    York Place celebrates 40 years!

    Tenant Ann Chamberlin and Michael Newey at York Place Dereham 40th anniversary celebration

    Tenants at York Place in Dereham recently celebrated their sheltered housing scheme’s 40th birthday.

    The scheme’s longest-standing resident, Ann Chamberlain (94), who moved into York Place in 1988, cut a special birthday cake with Michael Newey, Chief Executive.

    Addressing tenants and members who gathered to celebrate over pizza, Michael Newey said:

    Back in 1982, York Place was ahead of its time.  Building a scheme so close to the town centre, just off the High Street, was quite unusual.

    But there is a model here for living, not just in terms of sheltered housing.  As towns have to reinvent themselves, bringing people back living in town centres seems such a sensible idea.  There is a model here that other communities in Norfolk and further afield could really learn from.

    Michael Newey, Chief Executive, Broadland Housing Association

    Tenant Ann Chamberlain said that York Place was a great place to live. 

    It has a proper sense of community. We are one big happy family.  It’s nice and near the town centre – I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

    Ann Chamberlain, York Place’s longest-standing tenant

    Broadland built York Place, which is situated right in the town centre off Becclesgate, in the early 1980s.

    The scheme offers independent living for the over-55s.  In 2018 it was expanded to add 6 new flats, 2 shared ownership bungalows and a new landscaped communal garden.  It now has 53 one-bedroom flats and bungalows.

    There is a lively social programme at York Place, with an active social club, coffee mornings, bingo and games evenings, and regular activities and outings.

    Find out more about York Place.

    Homelessness impact review 2018-22

    Simon St Martins NSAP Norwich

    Homelessness impact review 2018-22

    We are delighted to publish our homelessness impact review, 2018-22.

    This report outlines the work we have been doing to address and prevent homelessness over the last 4 years. As a founding member of Homes for Cathy, we are committed to ending homelessness.

    Homelessness impact review 2018-22Download
    Front cover of Broadland Housing Association's homeless impact report, 2018-22
    Front cover, featuring one of our King’s Lynn tenants

    Most of the projects in the homelessness impact review have been delivered thanks to strong working partnerships with local authorities, charities and other housing providers.

    No single organisation can end homelessness on its own. We need to continue building effective, joined-up partnerships to find sustainable solutions to homelessness, now and in the future.

    Read more about some of our projects to prevent homelessness:

    Simon, who has benefited from the Next Steps Accommodation Programme in Norwich
    Tenant from the Next Step Accommodation Programme in Norwich (picture: St Martins)

    Work starts on 7 new affordable homes at Ketts Hill, Norwich

    Ketts Hills start on site ceremony June 2022

    Work starts on 7 new affordable homes at Ketts Hill, Norwich

    Work is now underway on our joint project with Norwich City Council to build 7 new affordable houses at Ketts Hill. The homes are aimed at helping rough sleepers in the city.

    Norwich City Council has provided the land, and we are building the homes with the help of grant funding from Homes England via the Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme.

    The 7 x 1-bedroom homes have a timber frame design for speed of construction and to ensure low embodied carbon.  Each home will have its own small front garden. 

    Architects image of Ketts Hill development, Norwich
    location of development at Ketts Hill Norwich
    Architect’s image and location of new affordable homes at Ketts Hill

    Second joint homelessness project

    Councillor Gail Harris, Norwich City Council’s cabinet member for social housing, joined Andrew Savage, Executive Development Director at Broadland Housing Association, at a short ceremony to mark the start of work on site:

    This is the second joint homelessness project between the city council and Broadland Housing Association, which builds on the success of our first build at Lakenfields.

    The project team has secured funding from the Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme, which will enable 7 new homes to be built and also fund support workers to help the residents settle into their new homes.  They will also provide the help each individual needs to live independent, happy and fulfilling lives. 

    As at Lakenfields this site will soon provide high-quality, affordable housing for those in desperate need of accommodation and support – another small development which will transform lives.

    Gail Harris, Cabinet Member for Social Housing, Norwich City Council

    Andrew Savage, Executive Development Director, Broadland Housing Association, added:

    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.

    Andrew Savage, Executive Development Director, Broadland Housing Association
    (L to r) Cate Oliver, Norwich City Council; Chris Ewbank, Chair, Broadland Housing; Gail Harris, Norwich City Council, Andrew Savage

    Norwich-based property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood has been appointed to provide architectural and utility design services for the Ketts Hill development.

    We are proud to help shape the Ketts Hill project which will provide immediate support for those in desperate housing need across Norwich.

    This contemporary take on a traditional terrace will provide high-quality living accommodation in an attractive setting, with essential facilities for future residents.  Ketts Hill is an exemplar of multi-agency collaboration to benefit the local community.”

    Chris Stammers, Director and Architect, Ingleton Wood

    The 7 new homes are being built by local constructor H Smith & Sons of Honingham. The timber frames are manufactured in Norfolk by Timber Frame Management.  The project will be completed in the autumn of 2022.

    Ketts Hill, Norwich

    With Norwich City Council, in February 2023 we completed 7 affordable rent houses in the former car park of the Ketts Hill Tavern in Norwich.

    Michael Newey, Gail Harris and Siobhan Trice at the handover of 7 new homes for former rough sleepers Ketts Hill at Norwich, February 2023
    Michael Newey, Chief Executive, with Gail Harrison (Norwich City Council) and Siobhan Trice, board member
    Location of development at Ketts Hill Norwich

    Broadland Housing Association is working in partnership with the council to deliver affordable homes across the city.

    Gracie, award-winning apprentice!

    Our apprentice Gracie Symon has won 2 awards in quick succession. In March she won Lewisham College’s plumbing competition for women training in construction, held to celebrate International Women’s Day.

    Then in June she was named Construction Apprentice of the Year by City College Norwich.

    Gracie SYmon, plumbing apprentice, with her Apprentice of the Year award from City College Norwich
    Gracie (2nd right) at the Lewisham College awards (picture: Lewisham College) and at the City College Norwich awards, with Ian Willis, gas engineer, and Liam Cook, Local Delivery Team Leader (picture: City College Norwich)

    City College Norwich selected 12 of its 1,650 apprentices for the Apprentice of the Year awards, celebrating those who had excelled and acted as a role model to their peers throughout the year.

    Gracie was awarded Apprentice of the Year in the construction category (electrical installations, plumbing and gas).

    I feel really happy and honoured to win this award. With my achievements this year, I’m pleased to say my confidence has grown. Ian [my supervisor] has really helped me to get where I need to be in my apprenticeship and has pushed me along with my social skills when talking to new people, such as tenants. The award has highlighted to me how far I have come since I first started with Broadland!

    Gracie Symon, plumbing apprentice

    Learning on the job

    Gracie first joined Broadland as a plumbing apprentice in 2020. She chose Broadland because it offered a wide range of work and opportunities to learn on the job. She also enjoys meeting tenants from a range of different backgrounds.

    Gracie first went into plumbing after leaving school, working with her Dad, who is also a plumber, before looking for an apprenticeship in her area. She is due to qualify in 2024.

    Gas engineer Ian Willis, Gracie’s supervisor, said:

    It’s a pleasure to train Gracie. She is enthusiastic and excited about learning new things, and always willing to give things a go. I am very proud of her. Gracie’s positive can-do attitude shines through – she is a credit to Broadland. Hopefully we can produce more apprentices like her in the future! Well done, Gracie!

    Accessibility by WAH