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Housing experts from around the globe visited Bradford on Friday (22 June) to see how multi million pound investment is transforming social housing and the commercial residential market in the city.

Bradford Community Housing Trust (BCHT) Group Chief Executive, Geraldine Howley  led a one-day study tour. It included a look at the district’s rich history including visits to Bradford Industrial Museum and Haworth.

BCHT were invited to lead the tour by the Chartered Institute of Housing who were holding their annual national conference at Harrogate (June 19-21).

The visitors included the Chairs and Chief Executives of major housing bodies in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the United States.

During their visit the delegates looked at a number of BCHT housing schemes including recently completed affordable homes built by Firebird Homes – a partnership between BCHT and Manningham Housing Association. They also saw progress on the multi million pound transformation of the high-rise blocks of flats off Manchester Road.

As part of the tour they heard how BCHT is investing over £175 million in a five-year modernisation programme (started in 2003) covering its stock of just over 22,000 homes in the district. Over £149 million has so far been spent on improving thousands of properties and bring them up to a level in excess of the Government’s Decent Homes Standard placed on housing associations by the target of 2010.

The delegates also toured The Gatehaus, a stunning new private development of apartments and penthouses being built on the edge of the Little Germany quarter by Yorkshire developers, Asquith Properties.

Geraldine Howley, BCHT Group Chief Executive, said: “We were delighted to host these international visitors and show them how public and private sector partners are working to meet the needs of a diverse housing market in Bradford. 

"It was an excellent opportunity to highlight how we are investing in BCHT homes and local neighbourhoods for the benefit of our tenants.”

25.06.07