Our history

Where did it all begin?

Our story begins in 1901, when businessman Samuel Lewis left money in his will to create a charitable housing association offering low rent homes for people in need. Guided by his wife Ada, the first estate of 151 high quality flats opened in 1910 on Liverpool Road in Islington. 

Life was tough in the 1910s, but Samuel’s core belief still matters today: private rents are often too high, and the quality isn’t always good enough. For 125 years we’ve adapted to new challenges. Today, one of our biggest priorities is upgrading our older homes so they are safe, accessible, energy efficient, and meet modern standards. 

Samuel and Ada were our first founders, but we’re also shaped by many other charitable housing organisations that later joined us. In 1945, Joan Bartlett created Hearth and Home to support older people left homeless by the Blitz. In the 1960s, poor private rental conditions led community groups to form small housing charities that have since become a part of our story. In the 1990s and 2000s we also took on former council homes needing major improvements.

We now provide 80,000 homes, but our purpose remains the same as that of Samuel Lewis; offering safe, good-quality, affordable housing that supports people’s wellbeing. We’ll continue this legacy and keep providing homes for people in need, today and long into the future.