South Yorkshire Housing Association

What South Yorkshire Housing Association does

South Yorkshire Housing Association (SYHA) is a not-for-profit social landlord and registered provider (Registered Housing Association number L0078) founded in 1972 as Sheffield Family Housing Association, operating across the Sheffield City Region, North Derbyshire, and North Nottinghamshire. Following its December 2025 merger into Places for People, SYHA retains its local operating identity and charitable status while gaining access to a national group's resources. Its core activity is providing affordable rental housing — including shared ownership, extra-care housing for over-50s, supported housing for people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities, and temporary accommodation for homeless families — alongside a broad support services portfolio (employment programmes such as Working Win and Good Work, LiveWell at Home, Promoting Independence Project, Changing Futures co-production, and Positive Activities for adults facing multiple disadvantages).

SYHA's underlying operating model combines government-capped social rents (calculated annually as CPI + 1% at September, plus separate service charges) with a commercial arm, SYHA Enterprises, that owns wholly-owned subsidiaries including Crucible Homes (ethical estate agency), Co-create (co-design consultancy serving NHS Trusts and local authorities), and Viewpoint (tenant satisfaction research), as well as a joint venture interest in Forge New Homes alongside four other housing associations. The business model is therefore a hybrid: regulated/grant-funded social landlord revenue on one side, and a small but distinct portfolio of fee-earning commercial activities on the other. There is no proprietary technology platform disclosed; customer-facing digital capability is limited to a tenant self-service portal for rent payment, repair booking, and account management.

The organisation was the first UK housing association to deliver a Private Finance Initiative for social housing (1999) and the first to use WikiHouse offsite manufactured construction for social housing (2017). Its Hayes Lane development won the British Homes Awards Affordable Housing category in 2022 and SYHA has been externally recognised as the 'most innovative social housing organisation', with the LaingBuisson health award for personalisation. Customer outcomes are evidenced across programmes — 84% retention at 13+ weeks in Working Win, 100% of LiveWell at Home customers reporting improved quality of life — supporting value-based commissioning relationships with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, NHS England, and the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

Name

South Yorkshire Housing Association

Legal name

South Yorkshire Housing Association Ltd

Website

https://syha.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

South Yorkshire Housing Association is a not-for-profit social landlord providing affordable rental housing and support services across the Sheffield City Region, North Derbyshire, and North Nottinghamshire for tenants including families, older people, and vulnerable populations. Founded 1972, it became a subsidiary of Places for People in December 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Housing and Supported Living Services

NAICS

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111), Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (531110), Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (623312)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing Property Management (BPAJAGAJ), Senior & Assisted Living Residential Property Management (BPAJAFAE), Small Residential Care Homes (RCFE/Board & Care) (HLADABAF), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Affordable housing services
• Supported living accommodation
• Homelessness support services
• Employment support programmes
• Shared ownership housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheffield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Social housing rent: As a non-for-profit organisation, income from tenant rent enables SYHA to offer affordable, good quality housing and other services and support. Social and affordable rents are capped by government and calculated by adding 1% to CPI at September of each year. Service charges are paid in addition to rent and fund services like utilities, fire alarm checks, and gardening.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

South Yorkshire Housing Association is a not-for-profit social landlord that rents affordable homes directly to tenants across South Yorkshire and delivers a wide portfolio of housing-related support services. These include extra-care housing for older people, supported accommodation for adults with mental health conditions or learning disabilities, homelessness and temporary accommodation services, and employment support programmes (Working Win, Good Work, WorkWell) for people with health conditions. The organisation also operates commercial subsidiaries (Crucible Homes estate agency, Co-create co-design consultancy, Viewpoint research) under the SYHA Enterprises umbrella.

Product overview

South Yorkshire Housing Association operates as a not-for-profit social landlord providing affordable housing and support services across South Yorkshire and beyond. The organization offers a portfolio of housing services including rental properties, shared ownership, and specialized housing for older people, homeless individuals, and those with mental health conditions or learning disabilities. Supporting services include employment programs (Good Work, WorkWell), the LiveWell at Home service for over 50s, the Promoting Independence Project for transitioning from residential care, and the Changing Futures co-production program. SYHA Enterprises serves as the commercial umbrella for subsidiary brands including ethical estate agency Crucible Homes, co-design consultancy Co-create, research organization Viewpoint, and joint venture Forge New Homes for housing development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Find a Home to Rent Housing search and letting service enabling customers to find affordable rental properties across South Yorkshire. Allocated via local authority Choice Based Lettings and direct lets.
• Shared Ownership Homes Partial home ownership programme allowing customers to purchase a share of a property and pay rent on the remaining portion, including three shared ownership homes at Cross Lane in Barnsley.
• Homes and Services for Over 50s Specialised housing and support services for older adults aged 50+, including independent living and extra-care facilities such as The Meadows and White Willows.
• Homeless Services and Temporary Accommodation Support services and temporary accommodation for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, including the Cuthbert Bank temporary accommodation scheme and dedicated homes for people with a history of rough sleeping.
• Mental Health Supported Accommodation Supported accommodation services for adults with long-term mental health conditions, including the Beaufort Project (furnished housing with keyworker support) and the Lister Project (bedrooms in shared houses with 24-hour support).
• Learning Disabilities Services Dedicated housing and support services helping individuals with learning disabilities to live independently.
• Working Win Employment Support Programme Employment support programme delivered in partnership with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and local NHS partners, supporting people with health conditions or disabilities to find or stay in work; has worked with over 6,900 people since 2017, with 3,700+ helped into work and 84% retention at 13+ weeks.
• Good Work Employment Support Employment support programme working with people across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw to find, stay, and thrive in employment, partnering with local NHS primary care teams.
• WorkWell Employment Support Free employment support service for people aged 16+ with health conditions or disabilities, available in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield.
• Online Customer Services Portal Digital platform allowing tenants to pay rent, report and book repairs, change details, and access other services online.
• Pay My Rent Service Online rent payment service enabling tenants to manage recurring rent payments conveniently.
• Book a Repair Service Online service for scheduling and tracking home repairs and maintenance requests, backed by phone (0800 1380 380) and email ([email protected]) channels.
• LiveWell at Home Short-term, high-impact support service for people aged 55 and over to remain living independently in their homes; 100% of customers reported enjoying life more.
• Promoting Independence Project Service supporting people in residential care to transition into supported or independent accommodation; has supported 35 customers to live independently and 12 to achieve 18-24 months of independent living.
• Good Practice Mentors Programme Programme sharing learning and resources from the seven-year Ageing Better project, offering free training and support for organisations working with older people, in partnership with Age UK Camden, Leeds Older People's Forum, and Torbay Communities.
• Changing Futures Co-production Programme Co-production programme increasing the influence of people with lived experience on Sheffield's strategy and services, offering training, workshops, and peer support to over 70 co-production associates; recognised with a Lived Experience Chartership Gold Award in 2024.
• Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support (Safe Haven Yorkshire) Support service for asylum-seekers and refugees delivered in partnership with Yorkshire Housing Group; at its peak employed 175 staff from refugee and racially diverse communities who collectively spoke 49 languages, and supported 3,000 customers.
• Domestic Abuse Services Support services for individuals experiencing domestic abuse and for people who want to change abusive behaviour.
• Positive Activities Programme Programme offering diverse creative, cultural, and wellbeing activities (poetry, music, hair and beauty, gardening, DJing) for adults in recovery from mental health issues, homelessness, domestic abuse, or substance misuse; benefits over 1,200 people through partner organisations.
• Crucible Homes Estate Agency Ethical estate agency service operating across South Yorkshire, part of SYHA Enterprises, supporting people to buy, sell, rent, or let properties; handles sales for SYHA's own developments including Dun Works in Kelham Island.
• Co-create Co-design Consultancy Co-design consultancy specialising in collaborative service design and co-delivery, working with social housing organisations, NHS Trusts, and local authorities; won the LaingBuisson Health Award for best approach to personalisation.
• Viewpoint Tenant Research Service Research organisation collecting customer feedback and conducting the Tenant Satisfaction Measures survey required by the Regulator of Social Housing; also works with private sector construction companies.
• Forge New Homes Joint Venture Joint venture with Great Places Housing Group, Yorkshire Housing, Together Housing Group, and The Guinness Partnership developing homes for market sale, shared ownership, and affordable rent, including The Hedgerows in Pilsley (98 homes), Beckingham (57 bungalows, £13 million investment), and former Bolsover Hospital.
• Eco Homes Development at Waverley Five brand-new eco homes built on a 740-hectare site at Waverley, Rotherham (former Orgreave Colliery and Coking Plant), all EPC band B rated, fully electric with air source heat pumps, solar panels, and EV charging.

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% of Working Win participants stayed in employment for 13+ weeks
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

41 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Places for PeoplecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023SYHA joined Places for People as a subsidiary in December 2025. Large national housing and care group. Larry Gold (SYHA CEO) became CEO of Housing and Communities at Places for People.
• South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Won match funding from sprinkler fund to install state-of-the-art fire protection system at John Street Nursing Home. Partnership focused on customer safety.
• Yorkshire Housing GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Leeds-based housing association partner for Safe Haven Yorkshire support service for asylum-seekers and refugees. At its peak employed 175 staff serving 3,000 customers.
• South Yorkshire Housing Partnership (SYHP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SYHP, Great Places Housing Group and PlaceShapers for the Waverley development project. Five eco homes built on the former Orgreave Colliery site in Rotherham.
• Great Places Housing GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing association partner in South Yorkshire Housing Partnership for the Waverley eco homes development. Larry Gold later joined as CEO of Housing and Communities at Places for People (parent of Great Places).
• PlaceShapersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational membership organization for housing associations. Partner in Waverley development project and shares updates about SYHA's work.
• Crucible Sales and LettingscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEstate agency handling sales for Dun Works apartments in Kelham Island.
• University of SheffieldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical psychology student placement at Cuthbert Bank (temporary accommodation for homeless families). First time university worked with a non-NHS organisation. Provided team wellbeing support and reflective practice sessions.
• DK-ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm partner for Hayes Lane development which won British Homes Awards Affordable Housing award. SYHA's partner in creating high-quality affordable housing designs.
• Pacy & WheatleycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for Hayes Lane affordable housing development that won British Homes Awards.
• Forge New HomescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture with Great Places Housing Group, Yorkshire Housing, Together Housing Group and The Guinness Partnership for housing development. First 98 homes at The Hedgerows in Pilsley, plus developments at Beckingham (57 bungalows) and former Bolsover Hospital. SYHA Enterprises subsidiary.
• Co-create (SYHA Enterprises)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSYHA Enterprises subsidiary - co-design consultancy specializing in co-design and co-delivery. Provides support to social housing organisations, NHS Trusts and local authorities. Won LaingBuisson award for personalisation.
• Viewpoint (SYHA Enterprises)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSYHA Enterprises subsidiary conducting customer feedback research. Collecting data for Tenant Satisfaction Measures survey required by Regulator of Social Housing. Also works with private sector construction companies.
• Sheffield City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority partner for various services including Changing Futures co-production work, domestic abuse services, and housing initiatives. Co-designing services across the city.
• South Yorkshire PoliceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Changing Futures programme - co-designing, co-delivering and co-evaluating services across Sheffield.
• ShelterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational housing charity. SYHA was established with support from local Shelter group (£2,000 to buy first property). Continued partnership working - Shelter supported SYHA's 20th birthday repayment of original £2,000.
• CrisisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational charity for homeless people. Partner in Homes for Cathy group and joint work to tackle homelessness. Continuing partnership to provide services for those who need homes most.
• Cardboard CitizensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatre company specializing in housing issues. SYHA collaborated to present Cathy Come Home production at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre - all three nights sold out.
• Maya ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiverse-led theatre company working on creative participation projects at Lister and Beaufort Project services. Three-year Baring Foundation funded project exploring arts with mental health customers.
• Changing FuturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgramme increasing influence of people with lived experience on Sheffield's strategy and services. Offers training, workshops and peer support to 70+ co-production associates. Funded by Sheffield Drug and Alcohol Coordination Team.
• Age UK CamdenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Good Practice Mentor (GPM) programme bringing together legacy and resources from Ageing Better seven-year project.
• Leeds Older People's ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Good Practice Mentor (GPM) programme working with organisations to increase engagement and support of older people.
• Torbay CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Good Practice Mentor (GPM) programme working with organisations to increase engagement and support of older people.
• Rotherham Metropolitan Borough CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority partner. Crucible Homes works with the council on property services.
• Home from Home HallamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer group supporting asylum seekers moving to Sheffield. SYHA helped find suitable property and supported family to move into new home.
• AdiraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Positive Activities programme offering diverse range of activities including poetry, music, hair and beauty, gardening and DJing for adults in recovery.
• Blend KitchenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Positive Activities programme for adults facing multiple disadvantages.
• BloomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Positive Activities programme offering creative activities for adults in recovery in Sheffield.
• Firvale Community HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Positive Activities programme working across Sheffield communities.
• Framework HAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing association partner in Positive Activities programme.
• HavenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Positive Activities programme for adults facing multiple disadvantages.
• RiteTraxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Positive Activities programme offering creative activities for adults in recovery.
• Yorkshire HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing association partner in Forge New Homes joint venture. Nick Atkin (Yorkshire Housing CEO) serves as Chair of Forge New Homes.
• Together Housing GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing association partner in Forge New Homes joint venture for housing development.
• The Guinness PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing association partner in Forge New Homes joint venture for housing development.
• Watercliffe Meadow Primary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal primary school partner in intergenerational sessions at The Meadows and White Willows extra-care homes.
• Mossbrook SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school partner in intergenerational sessions at extra-care homes.
• Be Well GlossopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in intergenerational sessions at Whitfield House extra-care home, connecting with Southview Day Nursery.
• Good WorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment support programme working with people across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw to find, stay and thrive in employment. Works with local NHS primary care teams.
• Working WincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment support programme in partnership with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and local NHS partners. Since 2017: worked with 6,900+ people, helped 3,700+ find or stay in work, 84% stayed 13+ weeks.
• Willmott DixonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company partner. Crucible Homes works with Willmott Dixon on the Trilogy Collection development.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Framework Housing Association: East Midlands housing association supporting people facing homelessness, mental health challenges, and offending. Direct peer through shared Positive Activities programme partnership and overlapping vulnerable-customer support services.
• Yorkshire Housing: Leeds-based housing association and SYHA's former Safe Haven Yorkshire partner. Direct peer on size, geography (northern England), and Forge New Homes JV partnership with shared affordable housing and supported living services.
• Longhurst Group: Midlands and Eastern England housing association of comparable size offering general needs, supported, and extra-care housing. Comparable operating model and customer segments to SYHA.
• Great Places Housing Group: Manchester-based housing association of comparable size operating across the North of England. Directly comparable as a partner in SYHA's Forge New Homes JV and Waverley eco-homes development, with overlapping developer and landlord models.
• Together Housing Group: Northern England housing association with similar affordable housing and support service focus. Direct peer through Forge New Homes JV partnership and overlapping social housing / homelessness / mental health support offerings.
• The Guinness Partnership: Large national housing association with affordable rent, shared ownership, and supported housing portfolios. Directly comparable through Forge New Homes JV and overlapping service lines including extra-care and homelessness.

Broad incumbents

• Orbit Group: Large UK housing association with comparable affordable housing, independent living, and care services portfolio. Broader incumbent operating across multiple English regions rather than SYHA's South Yorkshire focus.
• Riverside Housing: One of the UK's largest housing associations operating affordable rent, supported housing, and care services nationally. Broader incumbent with similar social housing and homelessness services portfolio, though at much larger scale than SYHA.
• Places for People: UK's largest housing and care group, parent of SYHA since December 2025. Comparable as a broad incumbent across social housing, supported living, and build-for-sale, but operates at national scale rather than SYHA's regional niche.

Emerging players

• Habinteg Housing Association: UK specialist housing association focused on accessible and inclusive housing. Smaller and more niche than SYHA, but comparable in its mission-driven, non-profit model and focus on vulnerable customer segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SouthYorksHA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-yorkshire-housing-association
• Xx.com/SYorksHA

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Yorkshire Housing Association