We’re now registered as a non profit social housing provider!
We are delighted to announce that we are now registered as a non- profit social housing provider!
Becoming a social housing provider means that we can start to build our housing stock. We are currently looking to purchase our next multiple occupancy property, aiming to provide temporary, safe accommodation to survivors subjected to domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Vision, Mission, Values
Purpose
To provide safe accommodation for people escaping domestic abuse, to enable them to lead independent lives.
Vision
To provide solace to our communities in and around Yorkshire.
Mission
To transform lives by providing housing to those who have experienced domestic abuse, with short- and long-term options. Our
inclusive homes are for anyone who needs them.
We offer:
- Good quality accommodation
- Affordability
- Safety and solace
- Support for tenancy sustainment
Values
- Inclusivity
- Integrity
- Passion
- Driven
Board of directors
Solace HA is governed by a board of six nonexecutive board members who set the strategy and direction of the association. The board is made up of three nominees from Staying Put and three independent board members (including the chair).
The day-to-day management of Solace HA will be undertaken by Staying Put via a comprehensive management agreement. Staff undertaking the work will be managed by Staying Put’s senior staff and Solace HA will review the operation and performance of the services at each board meeting.
Hugo Stephens
Chair and Independent board member
Hugo is one of the most experienced social housing lawyers in the country, having advised housing associations, local authorities, banks and commercial organisations for over thirty years. He is an expert in governance (including charity law), finance and major projects. Hugo’s experience includes corporate, constitutional and governance matters for housing associations.
He also advises housing associations on their relationship and working arrangements with the Social Housing Regulator. Hugo’s finance work covers capital markets financings (public bond issues and private placements), bilateral and syndicated loan debt facilities, development funding, intragroup loans, structured finance and derivatives. He has led teams on a range of major projects including large scale voluntary transfers, Arms Length Management Organisations, PFI projects, group structures and mergers/demergers.
Hugo is recognised in Chambers and the Legal 500 as a leader in his field.
Dr. Amanze Ejiogu
Independent board member
Amanze is a Professor of Accounting, Society and Accountability at the Sheffield Hallam University where his research interests include the regulation of social housing and challenging stigma in social housing. He is a qualified accountant and has prior experience working in a big four accounting firm as well as in the charity sector. Amanze has extensive experience in housing association governance having previously sat on the boards of housing associations in Scotland and England.
Sally Watts
Deputy Chair
Sally is passionate about housing, the role safe and secure housing plays in enabling people to lead fulfilling and independent lives and the development of communities that thrive.
She has significant experience of operational and strategic roles within social housing leading and developing customer focused services. Key interests are supported and specialist housing, neighbourhood management, community development and safeguarding. Sally has a strong background in the development and leadership of specialist housing support services and is committed to the provision of support services which support independence.
Mohammed Shabir
Independent board member
Mohammed Shabir has 35 years of experience at operational and strategic levels within Social Housing, Regeneration, Urban Renewal, and substantial experience in dealing with private developers, and investment including negotiations of affordable homes with private developers.
Mohammed is trained as a Chemical Engineer and also studied management at a postgraduate level.
He worked at Bradford Metropolitan District Council where he managed the team that was responsible for delivering affordable housing supply via Registered Providers as well as the council’s direct delivery post stock transfer. He has extensive experience working in partnership with Registered Providers, Private Developers, and Homes England in securing capital allocations, procurement, and delivery of new build affordable homes including Homes England Audit compliance.
Mohammed has demonstrated his commitment to the non-profit sector by holding board positions at the Habinteg Housing Association for over 10 years, at Nashayman Housing Association for several years, and also serving on various Master Plan Boards. He has a real passion for meeting the housing need of people in wheelchairs.
Mohammed’s experience of working with diverse communities will help the association to ensure the quality of service provision in particular to disadvantaged or marginalised members of the community. Mohammed has a good overview of communities’ aspirations and of the social housing sector challenges. His focus is on making a real difference in people’s lives and the places in which they live and work.
Ruth Houghton
Staying Put Nominee
Ruth works as a Senior Operational Manager for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and has worked for Bradford for 32 years, apart from 2006-2010 when she was employed as a Practice Manager for a large GP Practice in Bramley Leeds, a position she took up to gain community and commissioning experience and in 2008 won the Regional and National Awards for Practice Manager of the year for services to the community.
She is passionate about providing a positive experience for patients/families/carers. She is also a staff governor and has represented Admin & Clerical, Estates & Ancillary and Additional Clinical Services for the last 9 years.
Ruth has a MA in Health Care Law from Huddersfield University.
Ruth has also had a book published which tells the story of her living and surviving 32 years of domestic abuse.
Malcolm Hardy
Staying Put nominee
Malcolm is a retired accountant who worked in industry for most of his career, in various roles. Malcolm worked at the Emerald Group Publishing Ltd – an international academic publisher, for 20 years. He was their finance director/company secretary before his retirement in 2015.
Malcolm brings many years of charity experience having been the treasurer and trustee on the board of the Brain Tumour Research and Support Charity, based in Leeds from 2005 to 2018.
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