Leeds Jewish Housing Association shortlisted for prestigious award

The biggest construction project in the 70-year history of Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA) has been shortlisted for Best Housing Development in the Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Awards.

The £14 million scheme at Queenshill Avenue in Moortown comprises 85 new properties, including 51 sheltered housing apartments for those aged 55 and over, and 34 general needs apartments.

The award “recognises developments that provide desirable and sustainable places to live, improving people’s lives within the community.”

It was officially opened last summer by Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, and Councillor Robert W Gettings, Lord Mayor of Leeds.

The sheltered apartments are physically connected to 130 existing properties in three other buildings to form a sheltered village of 181 apartments for older people with secure access to the Ziff Community Centre which provides a range of culturally sensitive services, activities and food.

Craig Simons, LJHA director of operations, said they are thrilled to be shortlisted: “The new development was many years in the planning, not helped by the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 just as construction was getting underway.

However, LJHA and the Leeds Jewish community are nothing if not resilient. The final result was 85 extremely impressive new homes in heart of the community, low rent, modern, energy efficient, warm and secure.”