Timeline

GCHA reaches its 60th anniversary and is the second largest housing provider in the Gravesham areas after the local authority.

Ongoing initiatives and debates around how to address the housing shortage, with calls for increased investment in social housing and more effective strategies to ensure affordable housing for all.

GCHA completed the build of 9, three bedroom terraced houses known as Ruxton Mews in Meopham. They are built on the site of the former Meopham police station and were designed with sustainability in mind, each house having an air source heat pump and access to an electric car charging point.

Only 7,528 new social homes are delivered in England, highlighting the ongoing challenge of meeting the demand for affordable housing.

GCHA completes the purchase of the site of 9 new units in Meopham, known as Ruxton Mews and acquires land for 14 new homes in Gravesend.

Government outlines clear goals for decarbonisation, namely that the UK must meet net zero by 2050. The housing sector is seen to play a vital role in meeting this goal. Housing Associations like GCHA have already started work through the rollout of energy efficient infrastructure and initiatives but more needs to be done.

The Conservative Government’s Social Housing White Paper is published as part of the government’s response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy. It mapped out the future for social housing regulation and had a focus on consumer protection and redress.

The COVID-19 pandemic leads to a temporary halt in housing construction and exacerbates the housing crisis due to economic downturns.

GCHA acquires 8 properties in Maidstone for market rent.

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 comes into force, aiming to significantly reduce homelessness through new duties on local authorities.

GCHA refurbishes 60 properties within Elizabeth Court in Gravesend.

GCHA acquires 1 property in Northfleet for market rent and 12 in Gravesend for market rent.

The Housing and Planning Act 2016 is introduced, with measures aimed at further stimulating private sector involvement in housing and changing the planning process.

GCHA acquires 3 properties in Gravesend for market rent

GCHA acquires 13 properties in Gravesend for market rent

GCHA acquired Cobham Terrace in Swanscombe, Greenhithe for market rent, offering access to eight 1 bedroom flats, four 2 bedroom flats and eight 3 bedroom flats.

The introduction of the Affordable Homes Programme, aiming to increase the supply of affordable homes for rent and ownership.

The Coalition government announces extensive cuts to social housing budgets, leading to a decrease in new social housing developments.

The global financial crisis leads to a significant downturn in housing construction and has long-lasting effects on the UK housing market.

GCHA signed a joint development programme with another association delivering 42 new affordable housing units at DeWarren House, Glebe Road, Rochester Road and Fulwich Road, as well as 4 street properties in Singlewell.

Introduction of the Decent Homes Standard, aiming to improve the quality of council and housing association homes.

The New Labour government initiates a series of regeneration projects aimed at revitalising social housing estates and improving housing standards across the UK.

GCHA amalgamates the units originally under Maidstone Churches Housing Association into its stock.

The Housing Act 1988 stimulated private sector investment in the housing market, reducing the role of local councils in providing new social housing and marking a shift towards Housing Associations.

GCHA takes over the management of 22 units on behalf of Maidstone Churches Housing Association.

GCHA has over 200 homes in our portfolio including Elizabeth Court in the centre of Gravesend and properties in Dartford.

Introduction of the Right to Buy scheme under Margaret Thatcher's government, allowing council house tenants to purchase their homes at a discount. This marks a significant shift towards home ownership in the UK.

GCHA has over 100 homes in our portfolio

The Housing Act 1974 introduces new regulations for housing standards and rent control, aiming to improve living conditions in rented accommodation.

Over 2 million homes constructed across the UK over the last 5 years (almost half of which were council properties), more than in any other five-year period since 1918.

The Housing Improvement Act made it easier to turn old houses into new homes by encouraging rehabilitation and modernisation through increased grants to property owners. The Act sought to place the economics of housing improvement in a much better relationship to those of redevelopment.

Parker Morris Report recommendations on space and heating standards made mandatory for public sector housing by local authorities.

To encourage home ownership, the government introduced the Option Mortgage Scheme, which made low-income house buyers eligible for subsidies. This scheme had the effect of reducing housing costs for buyers on low incomes and enabling more people to become owner occupiers.

GCHA raised enough money to purchase 14 London Road in Northfleet, and create its first 9 flats

"Cathy Come Home" aired on the BBC, significantly influencing public opinion and policy regarding homelessness and social housing.

The Rent Act 1965 extended security of tenure, introduced registration of rents, and protection from eviction for private tenants, making the harassment of tenants illegal.

The proportion of council housing rose from 42% to 50% of the total in the UK as a whole, while the number of council homes built increased to 133,000.

Gravesend Churches Housing Association was formed in September 1964 by the Gravesend and District Council of Churches, which recognised the need for affordable rented housing in the area.

Comprehensive planning systems were established under the Labour government, focusing on urban renewal and housing quality improvement, with the amount of money allocated to local authorities at special favourable rates of interest was doubled from £50,000 to £100,000.

1964 Housing Act, passed by the Labour government "strengthened local authorities' powers to enforce minimum standards on privately owned housing and encouraged housing societies to build for low rent and for co-ownership by establishing a Housing Corporation which had powers to borrow from the Exchequer (£50 million in the first instance) for this purpose.