Opening Ceremony: Angela Simpson and The Mayor of Croydon - Councillor Wayne Trakas-Lawlor opened Simpson Court in 2016

Introducing new CCHA resident, EddieSpeaking of his initial reactions when viewing Simpson Court for the first time, Eddie, expressed his delight in being offered a brand new, spacious one- bedroom apartment. Following heart surgery, which deemed his previous property unfit, Eddie happily accepted his offer at Simpson Court. Eddie said

“I’m over the moon! It’s a really lovely place and it must be true as I’ve been told that I’m very fussy!”

Phyllis Baugh, CCHA’s former President, dedicated 45 years to the organisation.Sadly, Phyllis passed away in 2016, but not before opening her own scheme in 2015, Phyllis Baugh Court in her honour.

“We are all very proud of our achievements and hope there will be many more to come. Despite our efforts and those of other associations, we still face very serious housing problems. There is still so very much to do.”

Phyllis Baugh

There is still so very much to do

Croydon Churches Housing Association 6th Floor, Norfolk House, Wellesley Road, Croydon, CR0 1LH

Tel: 0800 054 6710Fax: 020 8688 5316Email: customers@ccha.biz

50 years of CCHA1967 - 2017

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Simpson Court 2016In November 2016, CCHA completed its newest scheme, Simpson Court, providing eight new homes in South Croydon.Located on Pampisford Road, the property is made up of three two-bedroom, and five one-bedroom apartments.The scheme is named after Angela Simpson, former Director of Corporate Services, who worked at CCHA for nearly 29 years before her retirement in the summer of 2016.

IntroductionJanuary 2017 sees the history of CCHA span proudly across half a century.When it was founded in 1967, CCHA’s mission was ‘To help the housing situation in Croydon’. The fundamental objective behind that mission is still ever-present, reflected in the current vision and values that the organisation holds today.CCHA’s 50th anniversary is just a few months behind that of Ken Loach’s thought-provoking film, Cathy Come Home: the story of a young couple and their descent into poverty and homelessness, which inspired many housing associations and homelessness charities across the UK.

A Resident’s Perspective An interview with one of CCHA’s longest standing residents.We spoke with a CCHA Resident who has been with us through four decades, listening keenly as she shared her journey through social housing.

“I have always been single and had been on the council waiting list for six years but at a low priority. The council referred me to CCHA and I have been living in Mollie Davies Court ever since.”Starting her tenancy in 1979, she recounts the history of the block she resides in. “The Block is named after the wife of the Vicar of the United Reform Church that stood on the site before the flats were built; there is a commemorative plaque at the rear of the building.”When asked of her feelings about CCHA as a social housing provider, she explained, “There have been many changes over the years as you have grown, but overall the service is good. CCHA’s values still stand.

“I do like where I live so you must be doing something right”.Finally, she tells of her opinion on the current housing crisis, “The housing shortage is in the news often at the moment; I know I wouldn’t like to be in that position in this day and age.”

CCHA has grown from six to 1,500 homes in the last 50 years, having realised that housing is just one part of the puzzle and that in order to truly have a hand in transforming lives, it needed to look beyond bricks and mortar.

CCHA currently provide a wide range of services, including specialist money and welfare advice, community initiatives, digital inclusion and employment programmes.

Early DaysIn 1967 CCHA was registered with the National Federation of Housing Associations with a very clear mission ‘To help the housing situation in Croydon by buying property and converting it to house those who are otherwise unlikely to be housed for a long time, such as elderly folk, young married couples, fatherless families etc.’One of CCHA’s founding members, Reverend Donald Bretherton writes in to the Chairman reflecting and celebrating CCHA’s early years and how far we’ve come.

focus

grow

improve

responsive

professional

through partnerships

in everything we do on what really mattersto customers

to all opportunities

throughlistening

Peter Juniper, one of the founding members of CCHA recalls early memories

of CCHA’s humble beginnings and big dreams for the future.

In the earlier years, The Bishop

of Croydon would regularly invite

me to enjoy tea and provide updates

on CCHA plans and developments.

On one such occasion, The Bishop of

Croydon produced an acorn and said,

“You must plant this acorn Peter

and just like the acorn, CCHA will become a big oak someday.”

1966 First TV

screening of Cathy Come

Home

1967 CCHA opened

its doors for business

1974 Hughes Court,

CCHA’s first new build scheme

opened

1987 CCHA’s

20th birthday celebrated

with opening of Trinity Court

1988 Development

grants to Housing

Associations were cut

1988 CCHA wins first Rough Sleeper initiative funding

1990 Over 169,000 people were accepted as

homeless and in priority need

2005 CCHA introduced

its first single specialist Repairs

contractor

2012 UK employment was boosted by

London 2012 Olympics

2016 CCHA developed

its latest new build scheme - Simpson Court

2012 The Welfare Reform Act

was introduced

2016 The UK voted to leave to EU

1998 CCHA

completed its 1,000th home

2000 The Government

introduced a target to make all social housing meet a Decent Homes

Standard by 20101980

Right to Buy introduced

1973 Britain joined the EU

1,000homes

57 homes 384 homes 500 homes

1,500homes

With over 1,500 properties across the London Boroughs of Croydon, Sutton, Bromley and Merton, CCHA lives its vision

of ‘Proudly delivering excellent homes and services’