About us
bpha is a Housing Association that operates primarily around Bedford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge, which is committed to providing its customers with high quality, value for money services whilst continuing to develop more energy efficient, sustainable and affordable housing.
We are a leading provider and developer of affordable homes including general needs rent, retirement living, and homes for shared ownership. We own or manage 20,000 homes and employ over 500 colleagues.
We offer additional support services to bpha customers through tenancy sustainment, money advice and specialist supported housing services. Our Carelink service supports bpha customers and the wider community through the provision of a 24 hour responder service giving customers and families an additional layer of security.
We work together with communities to improve opportunities, independence and quality of life for our residents, and to benefit the wider community.
All the money we make is used to invest in existing homes, to enable us to build new homes, and to deliver new and improved services.
bpha – core operating area
Our story
bpha was founded in 1990 following a consultation with North Bedfordshire tenants who voted in favour of the creation of a Housing Association to manage their properties. The new organisation raised funds and purchased the housing stock of North Bedfordshire Borough Council. Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association – now known simply as bpha – initially provided rented housing for residents.
Since 1990 bpha has continued to grow and develop new homes for customers in the East of England. The services we offer have diversified considerably and now include a range of rented homes, housing for older people and low-cost home ownership.
bpha continues to work closely with Bedford Borough Council and the communities of Bedford whilst also now operating in neighbouring counties across the East of England.
Our customers
Strong financial position
bpha’s approach and long-term plans have kept the organisation in good shape. It has adapted well to a changing operational environment, whilst maintaining its focus on customers, the services they receive and the homes that they live in. bpha retained G1 and V1 and an S&P credit rating of A+ (Stable).
CFO, Julian Pearce said:
bpha delivered a strong overall performance for the year and remains in a strong financial position. Our new banking facilities provide us the flexibility to grow our development programme. This enabled us to continue to invest in existing homes and provide more affordable homes. Our focus remained on listening to customers and making sure they felt safe and comfortable in decent homes with reliable services. 89% of our homes are now in at least energy Band C, as we continue to ensure homes are fit and efficient for the future. We were also pleased that colleagues again endorsed working at bpha, with inclusion in the Great Place to Work list.
Highlights included:
- Core operating margin of 40% (2023: 40%)
- 19,987 homes owned or managed (2023: 19,757)
- £39m Invested in maintaining and improving existing homes (2023: £39m)
- £60m Invested in new homes (2023: £53m)
- S&P credit rating of A+ (Stable)
- G1 and V1 – the highest governance and financial viability ratings
Vision
‘Quality Homes. Connected Communities’.
Our values
Our values underpin the work that we do and are ingrained in our culture at bpha. We are looking for people who can share these values and translate them into day-to-day practices for the benefit of our communities, customers and fellow colleagues. So that we can realise our vision, together.
