Communities that Work and BME National have launched a new Joint Board-Level Steering Group to strengthen collaboration between the housing, employment and skills sectors and address the inequalities experience by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities across the UK. Social housing providers play a vital role in developing skills, improving financial resilience and supporting residents into long-term, sustainable employment. This includes through the use of place-

BME National’s full group meeting on 11 June brought members together to discuss key developments across the sector, including anti-racism work in the Greater Manchester and Liverpool city regions, political changes affecting housing, and the importance of a coordinated sector response to misinformation and discrimination. The meeting also included discussions on funding for new homes, with Kamran Mahmood presenting proposals on accessing capital markets for social housing a

Chief Executive of Arawak Housing, Ulfat Hussain, along with Anna Bishop, CEO of South Liverpool Homes and Kate Thompson, Ocean Media who Chaired the session, took part in Housing 2026 in Manchester to speak about, what he believes is one of the most pressing issues facing our sector: the rise of misinformation about immigration and housing and the urgent role of leadership in fighting back. Here is what he had to say. Lies travels faster than the truth The summer 2024 riots

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) is proud to have been Highly Commended in the Excellence in Company Culture and Employee Development category at the Northern Housing Awards 2026 this May. This recognition reflects the strong, people-first culture that sits at the heart of the organisation — one where colleagues are supported, valued and empowered to deliver the very best for tenants and communities. At MHA, culture is not treated as a standalone initiative, but as a fund

Pine Court Housing Association, part of The Sovini Group, is proudly celebrating 40 years of providing quality homes and inclusive services to diverse communities across the Liverpool City Region. Since its inception in 1986, Pine Court Housing Association has championed diversity and cultural cohesion across the Liverpool City Region. Today, it remains a cornerstone of multicultural housing, with 58% of its diverse community representing Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic bac

Blog written by: Aminur Rahman, BRAG (Bangla Research Advisory member), Amar Bari, Amar Jibon [my home, my life] research project (2022-2025) Four years ago, I was invited to join the Bangla Research Advisory Group (BRAG) on the three year Amar bari, amar jibon (My home, my life) research project funded by the Vivensa Foundation and conducted in partnership between The Open University, Bangla Housing Association and the Housing LIN. It has been an honour and a privilege. Ent

The reach of Agudas Israel Housing Association Ltd was extended further north in February with the inauguration of its first housing project in Gateshead. The new development, constructed by homebuilders Vistry, comprises 20 new large affordable family homes tailored for the Gateshead Jewish community, under a new partnership between Agudas Israel Housing Association (AIHA) and Adler Housing. The ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted by Mark Ferguson, MP for Gateshead Central

BME National are signatories to this letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. The letter is from a coalition of organisations, working across mental health, racial justice and violence against women and girls (VAWG) sectors, to call on you to take action to address the gaps in mental health support for Black and minoritised victim-survivors of VAWG. Below is the complete letter along with the other signatories.

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has officially launched its new Corporate Strategy for 2026–2029 , setting out a clear vision for the future of housing and community development in Bradford and beyond. The strategy outlines how MHA will continue delivering high-quality homes while strengthening communities, improving services, and embracing innovation over the next three years. At the heart of the strategy is MHA’s vision to provide quality homes, empower BME and other

Pine Court Housing Association celebrated the start of the Lunar New Year with customers, colleagues, partners and friends on 18 February 2026, with events both in the community and at the Head Office of parent company The Sovini Group. Established in 1986, Pine Court is a registered provider of social housing with a long-standing commitment to providing quality homes and inclusive services, supporting a vision of creating a better future. Today, it continues its mission of c

Written by Ulfat Hussain, CEO of Arawak Housing. Last week’s events at Manchester Central Mosque were deeply unsettling. During evening prayers in the holy month of Ramadan, when around 2,000 worshippers had gathered in peace, a man entered the mosque carrying weapons including an axe and a knife. Thanks to the calm, courageous and responsible actions of mosque volunteers, no one was hurt. That fact should never distract from how serious and frightening this incident was for

By Bashir Uddin, CEO, Bangla Housing Association For many years, the housing and health realities facing many long established older Bangladeshi residents in East London have remained largely invisible in mainstream research and policy. Yet behind closed doors, families have been quietly navigating overcrowded homes, inaccessible spaces, and complex multi-generational living arrangements that shape their daily lives. That is why the Amar bari, amar jibon (My home, my life)

Written by Chloe Tilford, Head of Training & Consultancy at Housing Diversity Network I recently had the opportunity to attend the launch of "Amar Bari, Amar Jibon" (My Home, My Life) at the House of Lords, kindly hosted by Lord Best. This three-year research project explores the housing needs and experiences of older Bangladeshi adults in East London, and it's a piece of work that really deserves wider attention across the housing sector. The research was co-produced by Bang

Between October 2025 and January 2026, Manningham Housing Association piloted a six-week Soul Sisters Wellbeing Project in Keighley – and discovered how much can be achieved for women’s mental health with a modest budget, culturally rooted practice and a safe space to simply be . Led by Community Development Officer, Eyarun Nessa , with support from practitioner Cath Bacon , Soul Sisters brought together a group of 8–12 women each week at Keighley Civic Centre and Keighley C

The chief executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has spoken of his hopes for 2026 as the BME organisation gets ready in September to celebrate 40 years of delivering homes and services to communities in Bradford and Keighley. In a New Year message, Lee Bloomfield reflected on another 12 months of achievement for MHA in 2025. He said: “We found out just before Christmas that we have retained the highest possible grades of G1, V1 from the Regulator of Social Ho

BME National has today submitted evidence to the inquiry into Black homelessness held by the Women and Equalities Committee of the UK Parliament. Black people in the UK are significantly more likely to experience homelessness and housing insecurity than the population s a whole. This is not accidental, nor is it simply the result of individual circumstances. It is the outcome of long-standing structural inequalities in housing, employment and public services that continue to

Manningham Housing Association, a proud member of BME National, recently brought residents and partners together for its Halloween Mela, an event designed to celebrate culture and strengthen community connections. Families enjoyed a safe and welcoming environment where children took part in seasonal activities and adults had the chance to meet staff in an informal setting. The event highlighted the role BME housing associations play in creating inclusive spaces that respect c

The gathering at the New Art Exchange on Saturday, 22 November brought together community members for an afternoon of reflection with the Windrush Commissioner, Rev Clive Foster MBE. Chaired by Barrington Billings, Director of Operations at Tuntum Housing Association and Chair of BME National, the event created space for open dialogue and thoughtful listening. Attendees shared personal stories and reflections that highlighted the lasting impact of the Windrush generation in N

As the UK population grows older, the gap between need and supply in later life housing is becoming harder to ignore. Household growth over the coming decades is expected to be led largely by people aged 65 and over, yet the number of suitable homes being built each year remains relatively small. Abdul, part of the executive team at BME National, highlights that this shortfall is felt even more sharply within ethnic minority communities, where older residents often face addit

ABAJ team with Susan Kay, CEO, Vivensa Foundation, and Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor, at the City Hall – 16 May 2025. Bangla Housing Association (BHA), in partnership with The Open University and the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN), has recently completed a pioneering three-year research project examining the persistent housing and health inequalities experienced by Bangladeshi elders, aged 50 years and over in East London. Funded by the Vivensa Foundation,