Where it all began
Our story starts in 1901. Businessman Samuel Lewis died and left money in his will to establish a charitable Housing Association to provide low-rent homes for people in housing need.
By 1910, after his wife Ada’s stewardship of Samuel Lewis’ wishes, the first estate comprising 151 flats was completed at Liverpool Road, Islington. It was noted at the time that the flats were “built to such a high standard that a [resident] could have a flat equal in many respects… to some of the best in the west end.”
A vision that still matters today
We can only imagine how hard life was in the 1910s. But Samuel Lewis’ fundamental insight rings true today. Rents in the private sector are still often too high, and the quality on offer is not good enough.
Yet all evidence confirms that good quality housing is so important to wellbeing, and a huge driver of overall life satisfaction. So, although we’ve grown since those early days, we now have 80,000 homes, our core social purpose remains the same.
Adapting through the years
Over the last 125 years we’ve had to change and adapt in the face of emerging challenges. A key challenge for us is to ensure our older homes are accessible, energy efficient, and meet current building safety standards.
While the flats on Liverpool Road were fantastically modern in 1910, they have needed upkeep and refurbishment over the years. Investment in our homes is a key commitment for us as a business: a safe home is a non-negotiable for our residents.
Many founders, one shared purpose
While Samuel and Ada Lewis laid the foundations, Southern Housing is the result of many organisations coming together over time, united by the shared mission of providing homes:
In 1945, Joan Bartlett founded Hearth and Home, helping older people who had lost their homes during the Blitz.
In the 1960s, community organisations such as the Catholic Housing Aid Society in Croydon emerged in response to poor conditions in the private rented sector.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, we took on former council homes, many of which required significant investment to bring them up to standard.
More recently, we have grown through mergers and partnerships, enabling us to operate more efficiently and maximise the impact of our resources.
Residents at our heart
Central to our journey are our residents, they’re an integral part of how we operate.
Part of our history is our commitment to involving our residents at all levels of the organisation. Four of the twelve members of our Board are residents, helping shape every major decision we make. Resident panels play an active role in reviewing services and identifying areas for improvement, while a wider network of regional and specialist groups ensures that local voices are heard and acted upon.
This commitment to resident involvement keeps us grounded in our purpose and accountable to the communities we support.
Looking ahead
While much has changed since 1901, our mission remains the same. We’re proud of the legacy built over the past 125 years but we’re focused on the future.
Find out more about our plans for the next four years in our new Strategic Plan.
