A HOUSING group which manages more than 1,400 homes across Keighley and Bradford has gained top-level recognition.

Manningham Housing Association has once again been accredited with the highest standard of customer service excellence.

And it has been officially recognised for its work promoting equality, diversity and inclusion – retaining the so-called BS76005 standard.

The association has been described as “an exceptional organisation” by the Centre for Assessment.

Assessors said it focussed on exceeding customers’ expectations, and that diversity and inclusion were “deeply embedded in the DNA of the organisation”.

There was also glowing praise for the efforts of staff to expand services during the pandemic. In addition to the delivery of core provision, the offering had been extended and a range of support sessions and activities staged.

Ulfat Hussain, assistant chief executive of Manningham Housing Association, said the assessors' conclusions were testament to the outstanding work of staff.

“The team has outperformed even my highest expectations since the pandemic took hold,” he added.

“We were never content with seeking to ride out that period of time and hope that Covid would go away. Instead, we endeavoured to do everything we could to support our tenants and the wider communities, as well as each other.

“It is heartening that these efforts have been recognised by the Centre for Assessment. Every one of the team at every level should feel mightily proud of themselves.”

Cath Bacon - an association tenant and chair of its customer panel, who also serves on the Housing Ombudsman resident panel – said: “I am thrilled that we have retained both accreditations so spectacularly.

“I speak to fellow association residents in Keighley and Bradford every day and I know how grateful they have felt at the quality and nature of support received.

“Manningham Housing Association is a truly remarkable organisation and it is wonderful to see that this has been properly recognised once again.”

Barrington Billings, the association chair, said: “Retaining the BS76005 standard for valuing people through diversity and inclusion – and the customer service excellence accreditation – confirms the total commitment everyone in the association has to the people we serve.”