Celebrating 90 years of Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association

In 2023, ISHA is celebrating 90 years of providing quality and affordable homes for people in North and East London. We’re delighted to share a bit more of ISHA’s history in our 90th anniversary publication, celebrating our people and some of the things we’ve accomplished, together with personal accounts from residents and staff. 

Download and view the 90th anniversary magazine.
 

Our roots

Starting in July 1933 as Islington and Finsbury Housing Association, our mission to tackle poverty, overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in housing has remained largely unchanged - even to the present day.

From a single site on Penton Street in Islington, we have grown to provide over 2,500 affordable homes to over 5,000 people living in Islington, Hackney, Waltham Forest. The original site - now called St Katherine's House, is still home to ISHA residents in 2023.

Burbage House in Shoreditch has also housed our residents since the 1930s and was part-financed by local people investing in loan stock. It's named after James Burbage who, in 1576, built the first theatre in England and made a hugely significant role to cultural life in London and beyond.

Over the years, we've welcomed people from across the world including members of the Windrush generation and refugees fleeing the Vietnam conflict in the 1970s and adapted to the changing needs of the local communities we serve.

Supporting Vietnamese and Southeast Asian communities

In 2019 we incorporated Lien Viet Housing Association (established in 1988) into ISHA and are proud to maintain their commitment to providing culturally sensitive services to local Vietnamese and South Asian communities. Included in this was a legacy fund that has been used to ensure the challenges of Southeast Asian communities are not forgotten through initiatives like the Museum of the Home. You can also see the colours of Lien Viet in the new ISHA logo and brand we launched in 2022.

Making the difference

We're not the largest housing association but our ambition and commitment to high quality homes that people love is as fierce as ever. We know housing makes a huge difference to people's lives in terms of personal health, well-being, for children and their educational attainment. That's why we remain as committed as ever to continuing to address the need for quality social housing and providing local people with the foundation to build their lives.

Working in partnership

Our commitment to the local community extends to our contractors and many of the organisations we work with, such FDH Electrical & Building Services. FDH are a family firm based in Hackney and Director Tom Bishop grew up in the borough.

It's also why we've partnered with 11 smaller community-based housing associations and lead the North River Alliance (NRA). Over 19 years together, the group has delivered nearly 4,000 vital, high-quality new homes across north and east London.

Continuing to deliver new, quality, affordable homes

This year, we proudly celebrated the opening of 54 new homes at Hoe Street, Waltham Forest and a further 59 homes for affordable rent at Parkhurst Road, Islington.

Looking ahead to the next 10 years and beyond, we will continue to grow, support people and provide high-quality homes to people in need, staying true to the vision, mission and values that have guided us through the previous 90 years. We're already looking forward to celebrating our centenary with you in 2033!

Thank you

Thank you to the suppliers who have helped us celebrate our 90^th anniversary.