What Pickering and Ferens Homes does

Pickering and Ferens Homes (PFH) is a UK-registered Housing Association (A4020) and registered charity (No 1014862) founded in 1979, providing independent living accommodation for people aged 60 and over (50+ for some properties) in Kingston-Upon-Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. The organisation manages over 1,450 properties across two geographic areas, operating from its headquarters at 7 Beacon Way, Hull, HU3 4AE. PFH holds the highest possible regulatory ratings from the Regulator of Social Housing — G1 for Governance and V1 for Financial Viability — and serves a base of individual residential tenants through a subscription-style recurring revenue model built on Weekly Maintenance Charges (WMC).

PFH's core product is its housing stock — primarily PFH Plus Apartments across five sites with on-site Scheme Managers, supplemented by bungalow developments such as Padstow Close (24 units) and Orchard Garth Phase 2 (8 apartments). The technology layer consists of PFH Connect, a digital touchscreen service rolled out across every home by July 2024, providing 24-hour connectivity, repair reporting, community event information, and the OKEachDay daily wellbeing confirmation feature. A SMART-enabled Try Before You Apply apartment at Ada Holmes Circle, launched in January 2026 with KCOM grant funding, showcases over 60 assistive technology products including Alexa-controlled lighting and smart reminders.

The business model is straightforward recurring rental income from individual tenants, augmented by additional services including the Healthier Lives programme (falls prevention, fitness, social activities), financial and benefits advisory, bereavement support, grounds maintenance, and a renewals programme covering 1,429 properties. As a non-profit, surplus is reinvested into the housing stock and resident services rather than distributed; net surplus rose from £1,093k to £2,063k in 2023-24. Customer acquisition is direct-to-consumer via the website, open days, community events, and word-of-mouth referrals, with applications processed through a Find a Home portal.

Name

Pickering and Ferens Homes

Legal name

Pickering and Ferens Homes

Website

https://pfh.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pickering and Ferens Homes is a UK-registered Housing Association and charity providing independent living accommodation for people aged 60+ across over 1,450 properties in Kingston-Upon-Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire, generating recurring revenue through weekly maintenance charges.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Housing and Sheltered Accommodation

NAICS

Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331), Continuing Care Retirement Communities (623311), Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (623312)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Life Plan / Entrance-Fee CCRCs (HLADAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Social housing
• Independent living housing
• Sheltered housing services
• Older adults housing
• Housing association services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sutton On Hull

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Weekly Maintenance Charges (WMC): Residents pay weekly maintenance charges (referred to as WMC or rent) for their housing. This is the primary revenue stream enabling the organization to deliver services and maintain properties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pickering and Ferens Homes is a registered Housing Association and charity providing independent living housing for people aged 60 and over (50+ for some properties) across Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. The core offering is approximately 1,450 self-contained apartments and bungalows with on-site Scheme Manager support, 24-hour emergency call systems, communal facilities, and health and wellbeing services. Supporting this is the PFH Connect digital touchscreen service installed in every home, alongside a SMART Try Before You Apply apartment demonstrating assistive technology.

Product overview

Pickering and Ferens Homes (PFH) is a specialist housing provider offering independent living accommodation for people aged 60 and over (50+ for some properties) across Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire. The core product is PFH Plus Apartments, self-contained housing with on-site scheme manager support. PFH Connect is their digital touchscreen service providing 24-hour connectivity and the OKEachDay wellbeing feature. The Try Before You Apply scheme includes a SMART-enabled demonstration apartment showcasing assistive technologies. Additional services include the Healthier Lives programme for social activities and wellbeing support, repairs and maintenance, grounds maintenance, and financial assistance. PFH manages over 1,450 properties and operates as a non-profit registered housing association and charity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PFH Plus Apartments: Apartments suitable for single people or couples, over five sites, each with their own Scheme Manager who is there to support and help residents access services they may require.

Products and services

• PFH Plus Apartments Self-contained apartments suitable for single people or couples aged 60+ (50+ for some properties), located across five sites with on-site Scheme Managers who support residents in accessing services. Features 24-hour emergency call systems, communal lounges, assisted bathing facilities, hairdressing services, and social activities — for older adults seeking independent living with optional support.
• PFH Connect Digital Touchscreen Service Digital touchscreen service installed in every PFH home providing round-the-clock connectivity for residents — access to tenancy information, repair reporting, community event updates, and OKEachDay daily wellbeing confirmation to reduce social isolation. For PFH residents aged 60+ (and 50+ on some properties).
• Try Before You Apply (SMART Apartment) Scheme allowing prospective older residents to experience modern, accessible living before making long-term housing decisions, demonstrated through a SMART-enabled apartment equipped with over 60 assistive technology products including voice-controlled lighting, smart reminders, and discreet safety adaptations. For prospective residents aged 60+ (or 50+ for some properties).
• PFH Resident Portal Online portal enabling PFH residents to manage their home online, access services, view information, pay Weekly Maintenance Charges, and communicate with PFH staff. For PFH residents.
• Healthier Lives Programme Health and wellbeing initiative providing social activities and events, healthy low-cost recipes, falls prevention guidance, fitness programmes, and volunteer opportunities for PFH residents. For older adults living in PFH housing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sector-leading scores in 2025 Resident Satisfaction Survey with 760 responses
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supportive.

• Thriving Communities ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Building on successful delivery of £31m Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund works, consortium secured additional funding to accelerate home decarbonisation.
• PROCare Shower and Bathroom CentresupportiveStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnered in delivering the SMART Try Before You Apply apartment with expertise in accessible bathrooms and practical adaptations.
• Eden MobilitysupportiveStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnered in delivering the SMART Try Before You Apply apartment, providing mobility expertise and solutions.
• AlertaCallcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 July 2024Partnership to install PFH Connect digital touchscreen service in every home by end of July 2024. The system provides round-the-clock connectivity including tenancy information, repair reporting, community events, and OKEachDay wellbeing checks to reduce social isolation.
• Unity HomescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 March 2024Project managing the Padstow Close development on PFH's behalf.
• Azza ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 March 2024Construction contractor for Padstow Close development. Site achieved Considerate Constructors Scheme score of 37/45.
• OUTCOsupportiveImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Grounds maintenance contractor providing grass cutting, shrub and hedge maintenance, and private garden services.
• Money Advice ServicesupportiveStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal organization helping residents with benefits assessments, including Housing Benefit, Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, and Council Tax Reduction claims.
• Hull CVSsupportiveStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Golden Gig buddy programme connecting residents with companions for activities.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Together Housing: UK housing association providing homes and services across multiple regions, including independent living for older adults. Comparable to PFH in housing association structure and older persons housing offering, though at larger scale.
• Sanctuary Housing: One of the UK's largest housing associations providing general and supported housing including older persons accommodation. Comparable to PFH in not-for-profit housing association structure and regulatory framework, though operating at much greater scale across multiple regions.
• Guinness Partnership: UK housing association providing general and supported housing including specialist older persons accommodation. Comparable to PFH in not-for-profit structure and regulatory framework, with a broader geographic footprint.
• Orbit Group: Large UK housing association providing general needs and independent living housing for older people. Comparable to PFH in housing association structure, regulatory regime, and older-adult housing offering, though at significantly larger scale.
• Riverside Group: Major UK housing association providing general and supported housing, including specialist services for older and vulnerable people. PFH's Board Chair John Glenton serves as Riverside's Chief Care and Support Officer, evidencing direct sector overlap.
• Clarion Housing Group: The UK's largest housing association, managing over 125,000 homes. Comparable to PFH as a large registered housing association providing general needs and specialist housing, including older persons accommodation.

Direct peers

• Housing 21: UK specialist provider of housing and care for older people, operating retirement living and extra care schemes. Closely comparable to PFH in target demographic (60+), service model (independent living with on-site support), and not-for-profit structure.
• Anchor Hanover: One of the largest UK not-for-profit providers of specialist housing and care for older people. Comparable to PFH in its specialist older-adult housing focus, sheltered/independent living model, and regulatory profile with the Regulator of Social Housing.
• ExtraCare Charitable Trust: UK charity operating retirement villages with independent living and on-site care support. Directly comparable to PFH as a charity-led older-adult housing provider with a focus on independence, wellbeing, and community engagement.
• McCarthy Stone: UK's leading developer and manager of retirement living communities for older adults. Comparable to PFH in target demographic and product (age-restricted independent living housing), though operates on a for-profit model rather than as a housing association.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pfh_hull
• Facebookfacebook.com/Pickering.Ferens
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pfh-hull

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Pickering and Ferens Homes