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Department statements

A summary of the SHA Team’s responsibilities, accomplishments, and targets.

SHA Housing and Maintenance

At Spitalfields Housing Association (SHA), the principal objective is the provision of housing of a decent standard within communities in which residents are supported to remain long term. In meeting this objective, SHA staff are required to balance routine maintenance obligations with the long-term financial sustainability of repairs, particularly in relation to communal areas. While certain works may not be immediately apparent to residents, they are essential to preserving the condition and integrity of the housing stock.

Building safety is of paramount importance. SHA works in partnership with contractors, stakeholders, and residents to ensure that communal environments are effectively managed, maintained, and enhanced, thereby supporting safe and sustainable communities.

In light of the diverse nature of SHA’s housing portfolio, which includes properties of historical significance, the Association is committed to implementing improvements that do not compromise heritage value, while maintaining, and where feasible, enhancing existing standards. The SHA team brings together expertise in asset management and historic building conservation, and this integrated, cross-disciplinary approach supports compliance with current regulatory and quality requirements.

To achieve these aims, SHA maintains continuous engagement with residents and works collaboratively with stakeholders to address issues affecting the community, including anti-social behaviour, vandalism, and the improvement of shared spaces, whilst ensuring that all relevant safety standards are upheld.

SHA Finance

The Finance Team at SHA has continued to implement improvements that deliver efficiencies and savings for the benefit of residents across all areas of operation. Financial systems and processes have been significantly strengthened, enabling more effective management of rent accounts and helping to reduce the risk of residents falling into arrears. In addition, the team actively signposts residents to appropriate sources of financial advice and support, ensuring that assistance is available to those who may be experiencing financial difficulty.

While SHA recognises that some residents may face periods of financial hardship, the Association is required to adopt a prudent, balanced, and organisation-wide approach when making financial decisions. This ensures that individual needs are considered alongside the long-term financial sustainability of the organisation as a whole, allowing SHA to continue providing high-quality housing and services now and in the future.

Financial performance at SHA has improved as a direct result of the commitment and diligence of both staff and Board members, who share a collective responsibility to strengthen the organisation from within. The finance team continually reviews existing practices to identify opportunities for long-term improvement and to ensure that all expenditure delivers clear Value for Money.

Added Value is assessed through a range of measures, including the effective procurement and management of contractors, the enhancement of residents’ quality of life through well-maintained homes and services, and the maintenance of a strong and resilient financial position that safeguards SHA’s future.

SHA Contractors

At SHA, we recognise that professional expertise is increasingly diverse and widely distributed, and that its effective application is enhanced through experience. SHA contractors include both day-to-day maintenance providers and specialist contractors engaged in specific building components, ranging from electrical engineers to decorators.

In appointing contractors, SHA must give careful consideration not only to cost implications, but also to the timeframes within which repair works can be completed efficiently and to a high standard. Wherever possible, SHA prioritises the use of local contractors with a proven track record, and ensures that required standards are met through regular meetings and ongoing performance monitoring.

SHA Development

SHA acknowledges the complexity of operating within a dynamic borough on the edge of London, an international city, and the distinct challenges faced by smaller housing associations in delivering homes that not only meet immediate housing needs but also support long-term, sustainable living.

Many SHA residents experience multiple and overlapping social inequalities, including challenges related to affordability and access to resources. SHA considers that these issues can be partially mitigated through high-quality, sensitive design and the provision of well-considered spaces that promote a sense of belonging and support community wellbeing.

SHA is currently engaged in ongoing dialogue with built environment professionals, planning authorities, local decision-makers, and residents to identify opportunities for improvement across its housing portfolio. Through the Co-create Spaces initiative, SHA is committed to placing residents at the centre of the design and decision-making process, ensuring that emerging proposals are informed by the needs and aspirations of the communities it serves.

The development sub-committee will undertake a review of existing SHA-owned sites, carry out early-stage design feasibility assessments of current housing stock, and explore opportunities to improve the quality of homes, shared spaces, and the wider residential environment. Building on its cooperative origins, SHA is working with local partners to explore joint-venture development opportunities that deliver context-sensitive housing solutions tailored to the needs of families, individuals, and older residents. SHA supports ambitious local housing targets within a growing borough and is committed to development that is inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to its context.

SHA Community Engagement

Through the Hason Raja Community Centre, located in the Whitechapel and Bethnal Green area, SHA has demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing engagement with residents, the wider community, and local partner organisations. SHA subsidises the use of the community centre, particularly for start-up businesses and community services that support older people, homemakers, and young people, ensuring that the centre remains an inclusive space for lifelong learning and community participation. While our residents remain our first priority, SHA continually works to ensure that all services are accessible to them and contribute positively to their social wellbeing.

The COVID-19 period highlighted the need for increased understanding, support, and care for community members, particularly those who are vulnerable and their carers. In response, community training sessions have included topics such as health and safety, emergency first aid, fundraising, and basic DIY repairs. The team remains open to suggestions for further improvements and areas of development.

SHA actively encourages residents to participate in local activities and, where appropriate, provides signposting to relevant local services and support networks.