The Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has set out ambitious plans for 2026 in a New Year message from chief executive Lee Bloomfield, as the local housing provider prepares to mark its 40th anniversary this September.
Mr Bloomfield reflected on a year of achievements in Bradford and Keighley, highlighting MHA’s continued focus on delivering affordable homes and supporting local communities.
“We found out just before Christmas that we have retained the highest possible grades of G1, V1 from the Regulator of Social Housing following our annual stability check. That is great news for us as we are investing more than ever in our stock as well as bringing forward new homes,” he said.
In 2025, MHA completed a £5 million development at Victoria Road in Eccleshill, delivering 24 new homes for social rent. The project, undertaken in partnership with Zentra Group, Homes England, and Bradford Council, adds to the association’s growing portfolio of more than 1,400 homes across Bradford and Keighley.
MHA’s work has also been recognised nationally. It was named Landlord of the Year at the Northern Housing Awards, with local tenant Tausif Mohammed winning Tenant of the Year. The association also received Highly Commended status at the Housing Executive Awards for digital innovation and community engagement.
Further local accolades include retaining the Customer Service Excellence quality mark and the global ISO 30415 Standard for Diversity and Inclusion in HR Management. MHA became the first housing association in the world to achieve ISO 30415 in 2023.
Looking ahead, Mr Bloomfield said 2026 will be a pivotal year for the organisation. “Our focus for the next 12 months will be to further increase the number of new homes we can offer to those in greatest need in Bradford district,” he said. “With support from our partners, we are determined to lead from the front in providing as many additional affordable properties as we can.”
The anniversary year will also see a refresh of MHA’s Corporate Strategy. The current strategy, published in 2023, focuses on four key objectives: providing more affordable homes, maintaining existing homes, community investment, and addressing inequalities in the BME community. The updated strategy will place additional emphasis on growth, local engagement, digital innovation, environmental sustainability, and inclusion.
Founded in 1986 following research into the housing needs of Bradford’s Black and Asian communities, MHA was established to address gaps in provision for the South Asian population. Since then, the association has expanded from managing two properties to a portfolio of more than 1,400 homes, housing over 6,000 residents.
MHA has a G1 rating for governance and a V1 rating for financial viability from the Regulator of Social Housing. Around 75 per cent of the association’s properties are large family homes with three or more bedrooms, and while over 80 per cent of residents are of South Asian origin, MHA serves all those in need.
With an annual turnover of £8.5 million and a staff of 44, MHA has built a strong local presence while maintaining high standards in governance, financial management, and customer service.
“Our anniversary year is a chance to celebrate what we’ve achieved locally over the past 40 years while laying the foundations for the next four decades,” Mr Bloomfield said. “Since the outset, we have sought to remain true to our founding principles and to do the very best we can for the families and communities who need us most.”
