Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has triumphed in the Outstanding Approaches to Communications category at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Northern Awards 2021.
Staff at MHA were praised by the judges “for their incredible work with tenants and residents during the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The awards covering 13 different categories recognise the creativity, passion and innovation of housing organisations and individuals across the sector in the North of England.
As well as the association lifting the trophy for Outstanding Approaches to Communications, MHA’s Community Investment and Partnerships team was shortlisted in the Team of the Year category.
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) was founded in 1986 following a piece of research on the housing needs of Black and Asian communities in Bradford. This research proved that the needs of the South Asian community were not being addressed. With an annual turnover of £8.2 million and a staff of 36, the association now manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents. Around 75 per cent of MHA properties are large family homes with three or more bedrooms. Over 80 per cent of MHA residents are of South Asian origin but the association proudly serves all of those in need.
The award was collected at a ceremony held at the Hilton Gateshead by MHA’s Assistant Chief Executive Ulfat Hussain and Community Project Development Officer Aisha Begum.
Ulfat Hussain said, “I am always proud of the team at MHA but, since the onset of the pandemic, their dedication to caring for the needs of our tenants and surrounding communities has reached new heights.
“MHA may be one of the smaller housing associations in the country, but we are also one of the best that punches well above our weight.
“It was satisfying to fly the flag for the BAME sector which is perennially underrepresented when awards are given out.
“I hope MHA’s success will serve as a catalyst for change and we see more BAME housing associations in the running at future ceremonies.”
MHA Chair Barrington Billings said, “On behalf of the Board, I want to pay tribute to our staff for their remarkable efforts stretching right back to the introduction of the first Covid restrictions.
“In those early days, every tenant was contacted to ensure they were safe and receiving additional support required whilst self-isolating. Hundreds of online events were arranged for tenants and the wider community, ranging from yoga sessions to CV writing. Those without access to a laptop were given or loaned machines.
“Alongside MHA’s inhouse magazine, which is delivered to the doorsteps of all tenants, weekly newsletters were sent out by email with information on activities that tenants could get involved in, together with the latest national Covid updates. All of this wonderful work was further enhanced by the boundless energy of Carolina Padovezi de Oliveira, our Corporate Services Officer, who has done so much to boost MHA’s social media presence.
“It has been a real team effort and every single member of the team played their part in winning this award.”
