Turning hope into homes – celebrating the history of social housing

NHF Chief Executive Kate Henderson reflects on 90 years of the sector coming together as one and how that unified voice is as important today as it ever has been.

On 22 June 1935, the National Federation of Housing Societies was formally established in London, with 35 founder members at its inauguration.

Within a year, membership had grown to almost a hundred. According to the Federation’s first survey published in April 1936, the 170 housing associations involved owned and managed around 16,000 homes.

Back then, housing fell under the Ministry of Health. The then Health Minister, Sir Kinglsey Wood, was quick to recognise the broad social purpose of this emerging sector. He said: “What I have already seen gives me confidence that the work of housing societies will be of vital importance to the campaign, and I believe the value of this contribution will not be limited by the number of houses they build.”

His words may be almost a century old but they still resonate today. Housing associations provide so much more than bricks and mortar – they invest in communities as a whole, from providing education and training opportunities and out-of-school activities, to a wide range of support for vulnerable people.

Today, the National Housing Federation, as it is now called, represents 557 not-for-profit housing associations in England. Together, our members provide over 2.8 million affordable homes for an estimated 5.8 million people, creating places where people want to live.

Although a lot has changed in the social housing sector over the years, some things remain the same. We continue to be stronger together, collaborating on key campaigns and amplifying the messages we want others to hear.

A great example of this was last year’s successful campaign calling for the government to publish a long-term housing strategy. The widespread support from our members, key partners and stakeholders made all the difference in ensuring the sector’s voice was heard, loud and clear, across the country.

Working in partnership is a huge part of our work, ensuring we are representing our members in the best way we can and focusing our efforts on what is most important to them.

With this in mind, we recently launched our new business strategy, which was developed following widespread consultation with over 700 members, partners and residents. From these conversations, we developed three overarching sector ambitions, which the NHF will support its members to achieve by working towards five of its own strategic objectives, each with practical, measurable outcomes.

This strategy will define our work over the next five years, and we are excited to make a start.

As an organisation we naturally look forward, making sure we are focused and prepared for whatever comes next. But next month marks a key milestone in our sector’s history and we should take the time to reflect on and celebrate the huge amount achieved in that time and the difference it has made to millions of people’s lives.

You can read a little more about the history of housing associations on our website.