Thanks for the memories
As he leaves Manningham Housing Association, Abdul A Ravat reflects on the organisation’s transformation during his almost 20-year relationship with the 1,400-home landlord
STRATEGY
Pictured: staff outside the Bradford offices of Manningham Housing Association with Tracey Brabin (centre), now Mayor of West Yorkshire
Thanks for the memories
As he leaves Manningham Housing Association, Abdul Ravat reflects on the organisation’s transformation during his almost 20 years on the board
STRATEGY
Pictured: staff outside the Bradford offices of Manningham Housing Association with Tracey Brabin (centre), now Mayor of West Yorkshire
Abdul A Ravat
Vice Chair, Manningham Housing Association
Issue: 63 | December 2022
To all parts of the Manningham Housing Association (MHA) family, it is time to draw the curtain on what has been an almost two decades-long relationship. I joined the board in October 2016, having previously had a professional relationship as a regulator (with the Housing Corporation) and an investor (with the Homes and Communities Agency). MHA asked me to apply to become a board member and I jumped at the opportunity.
But as soon as I started, the organisation faced serious regulatory challenges resulting in downgrades in Governance (G3) and Viability (V2) by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), threatening the continued independence of the organisation.
Retain control
Over my career, I have seen too many BAME, and smaller community-based housing associations lose their identity and either merge into bigger groups or simply disappear. I was adamant for that not to happen to MHA and determined it should chart its own destiny.
This we have collectively achieved and today MHA has the best set of performance indicators, level of resident satisfaction, customer service and voids that I have seen in the sector. The RSH has re-graded it as G1 and V1 – ratings MHA has now had for more than two years. This is accompanied by many other accolades that provide independent validation towards customer service, equality, diversity and inclusion and volunteering.
Under the requirements of the National Housing Federation Code of Governance, there is now a strict time limit as to how long individual board members can serve with a housing association. So having served my two terms I have been reflecting on the journey at MHA.
Manningham Housing Association was established more than 35 years ago to support Bradford's South Asian community
Shining example
In my view, MHA is a shining example, leading the way in delivering homes and services against a backdrop of real pain and economic realignment. This includes high inflation impacting rent increases, the cost-of-living crisis and reduced support for household incomes, not to mention the discrimination and disparities that many people from minority communities encounter.
Despite these challenges, MHA continues to work with and fight for its residents and neighbourhoods who do not get the same attention from many mainstream actors to truly level up. Community anchor organisations like MHA have endured years of struggle on behalf of their social minority communities up and down the country. Because of that they have gained a unique voice to operate as independent entities and remain firmly rooted to their social purpose.
I am in awe whenever I meet the founding disrupters who started MHA over 35 years ago. Following research to investigate the housing needs and lack of suitable affordable options available to the South Asian Community, MHA was formed with a £3,000 grant from Bradford Council.
Today, MHA is a business with a £10 million turnover, around 1,400 homes in ownership and management (over 70% are large homes), with a truly diverse team of more than 40 people. It also has roughly £50 million of new private funds to deliver an ambitious, but affordable growth programme, as well as ensuring that existing homes meet the net zero-carbon challenge and receive the necessary investment to reduce fuel bills for residents.
Pride and privilege
From those humble beginnings, MHA has become one of the strongest developing social landlords in Bradford and Keighley. It would also like to reach into other parts of West Yorkshire to support other social minority communities where there is unmet need. MHA not only gives our communities and people a roof and a place of sanctuary, but also a sense of community ownership, self-worth and pride. I am humbled and privileged to have played a small part in this.
We have worked hard to develop a governance and organisational culture that places the needs of our customers at the forefront of who we are and what is our purpose.
I wish each and every one of you the very best for the future. While reflecting on my time with MHA I can honestly say that it has been interesting, often extremely challenging, usually with lots of fun and frolics and a learning experience. Thank you for the opportunity and memories.
It has also been great to be part of the team that has built a really good business, albeit one working in a hostile environment where uncertainty abounds. MHA has always risen to the challenges, and I have every confidence that it will continue to do so, improving the life chances of those facing vulnerabilities, who need that helping hand and a place they can call home.
Thank you and peace be upon you all.
“MHA not only gives our communities and people a roof and a place of sanctuary, but also a sense of community ownership, self-worth and pride. I am humbled and privileged to have played a small part in this.”
