Timeline

Bethnal Green Estate VE Day 1945

Our roots

We've been using our heritage, fresh-thinking and commitment to help people put down roots for more than 100 years.

2011

 William Sutton Homes, Downland and Broomleigh amalgamate to form Affinity Sutton Homes.

 

Affinity Sutton wins Business in the Community’s overall Example of Excellence prize in the Building Stronger Communities category.

 

Affinity Sutton launches FutureFit, it’s groundbreaking project delivering combinations of low carbon refurbishments and energy lifestyle advice.

2010

Affinity Sutton sets up the £53 million Community Foundation to provide a stable and sustainable source of funding for community activities.

 

The first Affinity Sutton Design Competition, ‘Make Bethnal Green’ is held, celebrating 100 years of Affinity Sutton.

 

Flagship sustainable development, Graylingwell, wins numerous awards including Sustainable Large Social Housing Project of the Year.

2009

Affinity Sutton begins to provide housing management services for Broomleigh, Downland and William Sutton Homes and all begin trading as Affinity Sutton.

Affinity Sutton celebrates 100 years of helping people put down roots with the 100th birthday of our first scheme - Bethnal Green in East London

Affinity Sutton's scheme at Graylingwell, Chichester, is set to be the country's first major zero carbon housing development

2008

Affinity Sutton launches its £250 million bond - the largest own-name bond issued by a housing association and the first in the sector for around five years

2007

 

Affinity Sutton returns to William Sutton’s London roots with their move to 6 More London Place

2006

 

Affinity and William Sutton merge to become one of the largest housing groups in the sector

Affinity and William Sutton are in the top ten developing RSLs following their joint grant application to The Housing Corporation.

 

2005

 

William Sutton and Ridgehill Boards agree to amalgamate the two associations into a new William Sutton

William Sutton accredited as a Charter Mark excellent customer service organisation

Downland received the South East’s largest Housing Corporation grant allocation

2004

Downland Retirement Management and Downland Property Management merge to form Grange

2003

Downland Housing Group and The Affinity Homes Group merge to become Downland Affinity and create one of the sector’s largest groups

William Sutton receives the highest Audit Commission rating for its services to continuous improvement

2002

The Affinity Homes Group is created to become the parent company to Broomleigh

2001

Aashyana, the South West’s first Asian led housing association, joins William Sutton

2000

 

Community Building Services is set up to deliver repairs and maintenance services to Ridgehill residents

William Sutton Trust celebrates its centenary

The sector’s first Standard and Poor’s credit rating is awarded to Broomleigh

1999

Downland Housing Society and Mid Sussex Housing Association merge to form New Downland Housing Association

1997

Broomleigh introduces the sector’s first customer service centre

1996

Downland Housing Group is formed as the parent of Mid Sussex Housing Association, Downland Housing Society and a new organisation Downland Property Management

Downland leads the way in providing key worker accommodation for hospital workers

1994

Ridgehill Housing Association is formed through the large scale voluntary transfer of Hertsmere Borough Council’s homes

1992

Broomleigh Housing Association is created in the first urban large scale voluntary transfer of homes from the London Borough of Bromley

1989

Mid Sussex Housing Association is set up through the large scale voluntary transfer of homes from Mid Sussex District Council

1982

Downland Retirement Management is formed as a subsidiary of Downland Housing Society

1974

William Sutton Trust benefits from funding under the 1974 Housing Act

1964

Downland Housing Society is formed by a group of local businessmen led by Archibald Shaw

1939

The Trust is housing over 32,000 people at the outbreak of the Second World War.

1925

The Trust has now developed almost 2,000 homes across six sites, including the Chelsea Estate in South West London

1909

Sutton Dwellings Trust’s first new homes are completed at the Bethnal
Green Estate in East London

1900

William Sutton dies leaving the modern day equivalent of £200 million to found a charitable trust to provide ‘model dwellings and houses for occupation by the poor of London and other towns and populous places in England‘

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