Broadland Housing Association

Homes, community & support since 1963

    • tenants

    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

    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.

    No Homelessness in Norfolk – winter campaign

    As a member of the Norfolk Strategic Housing Partnership, we support No Homelessness in Norfolk, a partnership of people working together to prevent homelessness across the county.

    The latest No Homelessness in Norfolk social media campaign is encouraging people to contact local advice agencies and/or their local council as soon as they are worried about housing costs this winter.

    Typically there is an increase in homelessness in January and February. This year, with the cost of living crisis, this situation is likely to be more acute this winter than in previous years.

    At Broadland we are encouraging our tenants to get in touch asap if they are worried about paying their rent and signposting people to our cost of living help page.

    Norfolk Strategic Housing Partnership

    The Norfolk Strategic Housing Partnership was formed in autumn 2020, bringing
    partners together at a strategic level with a mandate for change. The members include:

    • Norwich City Council
    • Breckland Council
    • South Norfolk District Council
    • North Norfolk District Council
    • Great Yarmouth District Council
    • Broadland District Council
    • Borough Council of Kings Lynn & West Norfolk
    • Norfolk County Council
    • Ministry of Justice Department
    • Norfolk Police
    • Police & Crime Commissioners Office
    • Norfolk & Waveney CCG
    • Norfolk County Council Public Health
    • Clarion Housing Group
    • Department of Work and Pensions
    • HM Prison and Probation Service
    • Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
    • Voluntary Sector representative
    • Flagship Group
    • Saffron Housing Trust
    • Broadland Housing Association


    Housing conference focuses on the importance of listening to tenants

    Housing conference focuses on the importance of listening to tenants

    The first Independent East conference was held near Norwich in November 2022. More than 100 tenants, board members and staff attended from five housing associations based in Norfolk and Suffolk. The conference focused on what lies in store for social housing in 2023 and the important role of tenants.

    Independent East Conference November 2022, delegates discussing in group around a table
    Independent East Conference November 2022,3 delegates chatting at table
    Independent East Conference November 2022, speaker Kate Dodsworth from Regulator of Social Housing
    Independent East Conference, November 2022

    There were keynote speeches from housing experts Hilary Burkitt, Director of Housing at IFF Research; Kathryn Eyre, Quality, Engagement & Development Director of the Housing Ombudsman; and Kate Dodsworth, Director of Consumer Regulation for the Regulator of Social Housing. The programme also included table discussions and opportunities for questions.

    Creative collaboration

    In their discussions, the participants focused on creative collaboration as a key solution to the challenges faced by housing associations. They discussed how these challenges might be alleviated by really listening to tenants and putting them at the heart of decisions in the difficult year(s) ahead.

    I found the keynote speeches informative, positive and thought-provoking. The whole conference was uplifting and well attended by tenants. It shows a growing interest in how attitudes to social housing and engaging with our landlords are changing.

    Jane, a Broadland tenant who participated

    It’s important for the sector to come together and think deeply about the challenges they are facing at the moment in such unprecedented times. The takeaway from today is a real sense that everyone is up for the challenge that we’re facing. Despite the great difficulties for housing associations, for tenants, everyone is up for thinking about how they are going to address these challenges and to make sure we are doing our very best for all of our tenants.

    Hilary Burkitt, Director of Housing IFF Research

    The event was organised by Independent East, an informal alliance of five community‐focused housing associations in the East of England – Broadland Housing, Freebridge Community Housing, Havebury Housing Partnership, Saffron Housing Trust, and Orwell Housing Association.

    Independent East will continue to work collaboratively together and with tenants to address common issues, sharing ideas and best practice to continually improve services and better the lives of their customers.

    CEOs of Independent East housing associations, November 2022
    The CEOs of the five Independent East housing associations: from left to right: James Francis (Saffron); Michael Newey (Broadland); Anita Jones (Freebridge); Andrew Smith (Havebury); Wendy Evans-Hendrick (Orwell)
    Accessibility by WAH