PHA Homes: Going beyond affordable housing

While PHA Homes’ primary focus is social housing, it’s also keen to support local people in other ways, whether through small grants or free meeting rooms. Its latest loan from Charity Bank will help it to go even further…

Social Need

Housing associations are based in the heart of their communities. As well as providing affordable housing, many play a crucial role in the network of charities and grassroots organisations that enrich local people’s lives. They often want to do even more to support their communities, but when opportunities arise, funds aren’t always readily available.

Organisation

PHA Homes’ mission is to make Petersfield “a great place for everyone to live, learn, work and grow with a shared sense of belonging.” It manages 350 affordable homes across Hampshire. Most of these are general needs housing, but it also offers shared ownership properties, homes for older people, and supported housing for people with learning difficulties.

The housing association’s offices are based in the town centre, and it has close ties to other non-profit organisations in the area. Along with housing, PHA Homes works to benefit the community in many other ways, from offering advice, small grants and free meeting rooms, to volunteering.

Loan

PHA Homes is a firm believer that social tenants deserve the same high-quality homes as people who rent or own privately. It has a 93% customer satisfaction rating and is on track for all of its homes to have on EPC rating of C or above by 2027 – three years ahead of the government’s deadline.

In 2024, PHA Homes bought 11 new homes with the help of a £2 million Charity Bank loan. The flats had originally been built for the private market and finished to a very high standard.

The housing association has now agreed a further £3 million loan, which it’s using as an ‘opportunity fund’. Some of the money will likely be used to buy new properties that meet specific local needs, but some of it will be spent on supporting the wider community.   This might include buying mixed use properties, working on fundraising, providing community facilities or developing training to help get people into work.

Impact

People deserve more than a roof over their heads. They deserve the chance to make the most of all their opportunities and to enjoy life to the full, and PHA Homes is helping to make that happen. With this new funding, PHA Homes now has the flexibility to act quickly when it sees an opportunity to enrich the lives of people in Petersfield and other local areas.

“This ‘opportunity fund’ allows us to confidently have conversations knowing that we can respond quickly and add value where it’s most needed. One of the differences in dealing with Charity Bank compared to other lenders, is the speed with which they understood that concept. With some funders, what you hear is, “We don’t really do that.” With Charity Bank, it’s, “We can see what you’re trying to achieve. Let’s see if there’s a way we can make it happen.” They make us feel expansive because we can be who we are and lean into our mission as opposed to trying to fit into a straitjacket of doing things a certain way.”

Linda Wallace, Chief Executive of PHA Homes

“I’ve been here for three years. It’s nice because I get a lot of independence. I cook and buy for myself, and the staff are friendly and really helpful.” 

Sophie, a PHA Homes resident