Political praise for the Agudas Israel Housing Association’s recession-busting work for the Charedi community in Stamford Hill and beyond was expressed at its AGM.
Hackney North Labour MP Diane Abbott wished “all the social housing in Hackney was kept as nicely as Agudas [sites]. If you have Agudas as a neighbour, you will have beautiful properties, beautifully designed and beautifully maintained.”
London’s Deputy Mayor Sir Simon Milton hailed the association as “a credit to the Jewish community, to Hackney and to London”.
AIHA has announced a number of new developments including more than 50 units of two and four-bedroom maisonettes in Stamford Hill and 50 new houses in Salford. It plans to expand into Barnet.
Chairman Chaim Moshe Feldman said: “I am pleased to report that our determination to build more affordable housing is on course. The slowdown in the economy has made us even more aware of the difficulties and therefore we are more focused than ever on our finances.”
The recession isn't slowing us down
The financial report showed an increase in income of almost £1 million to £6.5 million.
Chief executive Ita Symons said the association was close to finalising plans to redevelop the former Carmelite monastery in Bridge Lane, Golders Green. “After so many attempts and setbacks, we will finally have at least one and possibly more schemes in a borough that has a very substantial Orthodox Jewish community, many of whom are in need of affordable housing.
“The recession isn’t slowing us down — we’re speeding up.”
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