Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association Celebrates 90th Anniversary

FDH Director Tom Bishop, ISHA Chair Mervyn Jones, Waltham Forest Councillor Elizabeth Baptiste, ISHA CEO Ruth Davison and Islington Councillor Diarmaid Ward celebrate at ISHA's 90th Anniversary Celebration at The Art House, London in Islington.

Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA) celebrated 90 years of providing homes for its local communities at a special reception held in North London this week.

Originally founded as Islington and Finsbury Housing Association in 1933, ISHA has grown to become one of London's most dynamic social housing builders. Last year, the housing association built 0.5% of all social housing in England.

Last week's 90th-anniversary event, held at the London Art House in Islington, brought together 80 special guests, including many long-standing residents who have played a vital role in ISHA's history and success.

Mervyn Jones, Chair of ISHA's Board, said: " Our 90th anniversary is the result of our team's hard work and the support from our local community. We’re ambitious builders of genuinely affordable housing and proud of our history helping local people.

“ISHA has always focused on our residents and welcomed people from diverse backgrounds, including residents of the Lien Viet Housing Association, which we merged with in 2019."

Ruth Davison, ISHA's Chief Executive, said local partnerships played a crucial role in their achievements. She said: “ISHA has its roots in Islington and 90 years later is still here building homes and delivering services.

“What we do wouldn’t be possible without a great partnership with Islington Council, the local businesses we work with – creating quality jobs in the communities we exist to serve – and of course, our residents.

“We were the first housing association to pay London Living Wage, we build social rent and shared ownership, helping to keep Islington mixed and vibrant, and have a high lettings standard with all homes now let with carpets and curtains.

“Looking ahead, our main goal remains offering secure and affordable housing choices that give individuals and families the ability to thrive."

Islington Council Deputy Leader Cllr Diarmaid Ward, who spoke at the event, said: “The story of Islington and the story of ISHA are intertwined. For 90 years they have transformed the lives of ordinary families right here in Islington by providing safe, secure and genuinely affordable homes. ISHA are what every housing association should be – rooted in their community – we’re proud to work with them. “

Cllr Elizabeth Baptiste,  Waltham Forest Council’s Cabinet Commissioner for Renters, who also spoke at the event. She said: “Waltham Forest and ISHA have established a successful partnership in recent years to provide affordable housing in our local area. Together, we’ve completed 54 new homes on Hoe Street, including 16 social rent flats at 317A Hoe Street and 4 social rent and 34 shared ownership homes at 400 Hoe Street. The London Borough of Waltham Forest contributed £2.3 million in grants to make sure this scheme was affordable for local people.”

ISHA's commitment to community development goes beyond housing initiatives. The association leads the North River Alliance (NRA) – a consortium of small specialist housing associations that has built 3,500 homes ‘north of the river’ in the past 15 years, solidifying its role as a catalyst for positive change within the local landscape.

Last year ISHA delivered the affordable homes on the old TA site on Parkhurst Road and owns and manages more than 800 homes in Islington.