Arches Housing Ltd
Arches Housing Ltd is a Sheffield-based charitable housing association managing approximately 1,300–1,400 social and affordable rental homes plus around 100 shared ownership properties across Sheffield, Rotherham, and North East Derbyshire, serving lower-income tenants through local authority allocations and providing repairs, building safety, and wellbeing services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersSheffield, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Arches Housing Ltd does
Arches Housing Ltd is a charitable housing association founded in Sheffield in 1975, currently managing approximately 1,300–1,400 homes across Sheffield, Rotherham, and North East Derbyshire. Its core offering comprises social and affordable rental accommodation (~1,300 units), approximately 100 shared ownership properties, and ancillary services including repairs and maintenance, aids and adaptations, building safety compliance (gas, electrical, fire, asbestos, legionella), and a 24/7 Tenant Support & Wellbeing Service delivered with partner Life & Progress. Properties are allocated through local authority housing registers in Sheffield, Rotherham, and Chesterfield, as well as Arches' own transfer list, with shared ownership also open to qualifying public buyers.
The organisation operates a customer portal (portal.archeshousing.org.uk) for online rent payments, repair requests, and account management, complemented by phone, email, and in-person channels at its Sheffield headquarters on Burngreave Road. Revenue is generated primarily through recurring rent and service charges, supplemented by commission from an RSA Insurance contents insurance partnership and neighbourhood investment activities. Underlying technology is conventional housing-management software without disclosed AI/ML components, patents, or proprietary data assets. Community engagement is a defining operational feature, delivered through estate walkabouts, neighbourhood days, tenant scrutiny panels, and partnerships with Sheffield City Council and other local bodies; the organisation also participates in the South Yorkshire Housing Partnership of five associations.
Arches is regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing under a G1 V1 rating (the highest for governance and financial viability), placing it in the top 27% of UK housing providers and supporting access to debt markets. It employs 49 staff, achieved Investors in People Gold accreditation, and reported tenant satisfaction of 83.9% in the 2024/25 Tenant Satisfaction Survey (target 77%) and 85% for repairs (target 78.7%), with 0% of homes failing the Decent Homes Standard. No funding rounds, institutional investment, or PE involvement are disclosed; the entity is privately held under charitable status granted in 2010.
Arches Housing Ltd firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Arches Housing Ltd
- Legal name
- Arches Housing Ltd
- Website
- https://archeshousing.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Arches Housing Ltd is a Sheffield-based charitable housing association managing approximately 1,300–1,400 social and affordable rental homes plus around 100 shared ownership properties across Sheffield, Rotherham, and North East Derbyshire, serving lower-income tenants through local authority allocations and providing repairs, building safety, and wellbeing services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Arches Housing Ltd industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social Housing
- NAICS
- Residential Property Managers (531311), Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (531110)
- SIC
- Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Affordable Housing Property Management (BPAJAGAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Affordable & Public Housing Asset Management (BPAJAMAI)
Keywords
Where Arches Housing Ltd is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sheffield
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Arches Housing Ltd business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Social Rent: Rental income from approximately 1,300 homes managed at social and affordable rent levels in Sheffield, Rotherham, and North East Derbyshire
- Shared Ownership: Low-cost home ownership products where customers purchase a share of their home and pay rent on the remaining portion. Includes approximately 100 shared ownership properties.
- Service Charges: Additional charges for communal services, maintenance of shared areas, and specific services provided to tenants
- Contents Insurance: Partnership with RSA Insurance plc providing tenants contents insurance (optional but recommended). Commission-based revenue from insurance partnership.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Social/Affordable Rent |
| Hybrid | Monthly | Shared Ownership |
| Subscription | Monthly | Service Charges |
| Subscription | Monthly | Contents Insurance (RSA) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels8 records
Arches Housing Ltd product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Arches Housing Ltd is a charitable housing association that owns, manages, and maintains approximately 1,300 to 1,400 social and affordable rented homes, plus around 100 shared ownership properties, across Sheffield, Rotherham, and North East Derbyshire. Its primary product is the rental of social and affordable housing, complemented by shared ownership home purchase, comprehensive property repairs and maintenance, building safety compliance, and a 24/7 tenant wellbeing and support service. Tenants access these services via an online customer portal, phone, email, or in person at the Sheffield headquarters.
Product overview
Arches Housing Ltd is a social housing provider managing approximately 1,400 homes across Sheffield, Rotherham, and North East Derbyshire. The company operates a multi-service housing platform offering rental accommodation at social and affordable rents, shared ownership properties, and comprehensive tenant support services. The core product ecosystem includes a customer portal for self-service transactions (rent payments, repairs, account management), a 24/7 tenant wellbeing support line, building safety compliance services, and community development programmes including neighbourhood planning and estate walkabouts. These services are delivered through integrated operational processes rather than a traditional software platform architecture.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Social and Affordable Rent Housing Rental of approximately 1,300 social and affordable homes to individuals and families in Sheffield, Rotherham, and North East Derbyshire, allocated through local authority housing registers and Arches' transfer list.
- Shared Ownership Housing Affordable home ownership product allowing buyers to purchase a share (typically 25-75%) of a property and pay subsidised rent on the remaining portion, available to qualifying buyers across the general public.
- Customer Portal Online self-service portal enabling Arches tenants to pay rent, report repairs, request maintenance, check rent accounts, and manage tenancy details.
- Tenant Support & Wellbeing Service 24/7 confidential support service providing practical information, resources, and counselling to Arches tenants on health, wellbeing, relationships, family matters, debt management, workplace issues, and domestic abuse, with referral to specialist support where required.
- Repairs & Maintenance Service Comprehensive property maintenance covering emergency, urgent and routine repairs, including damp, mould and condensation assessment and remediation, self-help guides, and contractor management for Arches tenants.
- Building Safety Management Building safety compliance service covering gas safety checks, electrical safety testing, fire risk assessments, asbestos surveys, legionella risk assessments, and communal area safety reports for Arches properties.
- Aids and Adaptations Service Home adaptation service providing minor adaptations (grab bars, handrails, lever taps) and major adaptations (level access showers, stair lifts) for disabled or mobility-impaired residents, delivered in coordination with local authority Occupational Therapists.
- Contents Insurance Scheme (RSA Partnership) Optional tenants contents insurance scheme provided in partnership with RSA Insurance plc, offering household contents cover exclusively for Arches customers with discounted rates, online application and online claims submission.
- Antisocial Behaviour Support Service Antisocial behaviour management service including incident reporting, evidence gathering toolkit, case review process, and neighbourhood resolution support for tenants and local communities.
- Mutual Exchange Service (HomeSwapper) Home-swapping service enabling social housing tenants to exchange properties, facilitated through the HomeSwapper platform with free registration and mobile app access.
- Damp, Mould and Condensation Reporting Service Property moisture assessment and remediation service providing inspection, home assessment, diagnosis, and scheduled remediation works for tenants reporting damp, mould, or condensation issues in their homes.
Quantifiable outcome
- 83.9% tenant satisfaction with overall service (vs 77% target)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Arches Housing Ltd
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Arches Housing Ltd technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Arches Housing Ltd partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Earth ElectricalcoreLong-standing contractor (20+ years) retiring and closing business. Played important role in maintaining homes and services. Partnership ending July 2026.
- Lindley ElectricalcoreNew electrical services contractor appointed following competitive tender after retirement of Earth Electrical. Responsible for electrical testing, day-to-day repairs and maintenance, and void property works. Family business led by Managing Director Josh Lindley with team of 8 electricians.
- Sheffield City CouncilcoreCommunity partnership for neighbourhood improvement initiatives. Council teams work alongside Arches staff on estate improvements during neighbourhood days. Joint working on housing allocations through Sheffield Property Shop.
- The Archer Project (Sheffield)minorCharitable collaboration during Arches 50th anniversary celebrations. Raised funds and donations through neighbourhood events and inter-office activities including Christmas food collection.
- Life & ProgresscorePartnership to provide Tenant Support & Wellbeing Service to all Arches tenants. Service offers 24/7 confidential support, counselling, and referral services for health, wellbeing, relationships, family matters, debt management, workplace issues, and domestic abuse. All counsellors are BACP accredited. Available in over 150 languages via translation service.
- RSA Insurance plccorePartnership providing tenants contents insurance scheme. RSA designed cover specifically for Arches tenants with discounted rates. Over 25,000 tenants have chosen this insurance. Available by phone (0345 671 8172) or online application. Claims can be submitted online.
- HomeSwappercoreOnline mutual exchange service enabling tenants to swap homes with other social housing tenants. HomeSwapper has over 200,000 homes listed. Free registration for tenants. Includes mobile app for easy access.
- Sheffield City CouncilcoreMain local authority partner for housing allocations. Properties let through Sheffield Property Shop (Sheffield Property Shop). Tenants must join council housing list to apply for homes.
- Rotherham Metropolitan Borough CouncilcoreLocal authority partner for housing allocations. Properties let through Rotherham Key Choices scheme. Tenants apply via council housing list.
- Chesterfield Borough CouncilcoreLocal authority partner for housing allocations. Properties let through Home Options choice-based letting scheme.
- South Yorkshire Housing PartnershipcoreFive housing associations working together on regional priorities: affordable homes supply, net zero carbon roadmap, housing and health, economic growth and employment, and preventing homelessness. Supports South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority housing priorities.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Arches Housing Ltd competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stonewater: National housing association providing affordable and social housing, shared ownership, and tenant support. Comparable in regulatory standing and product mix, though operating across a wider geography.
- EMH Group: East Midlands-based housing association with comparable scale and operating model. Provides similar affordable rent, shared ownership, and tenant support services under the same UK regulatory framework.
- Together Housing: Northern England housing association managing general needs and supported housing. Comparable in scale, social rent and shared ownership model, and tenant-facing service approach.
- Yorkshire Housing: Regional housing association operating across Yorkshire with similar social/affordable rent and shared ownership model. Geographic proximity to Arches' Sheffield footprint makes it a directly comparable peer.
- LiveWest: Large South West housing association with comparable operating structure, property mix, and regulatory environment. Similar diversification across affordable rent and shared ownership.
- Longhurst Group: Mid-sized UK housing association providing general needs and supported housing. Closely comparable in scale, regional operating model, and tenant services portfolio.
- Habinteg: UK housing association specialising in accessible and inclusive housing. Overlaps with Arches' aids and adaptations service and disabled residents segment.
- Sanctuary Housing Association: Large UK housing association managing affordable and social housing across multiple regions. Directly comparable in operating model, regulatory regime, and tenant service offering, though significantly larger in scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Arches Housing Ltd social profiles
Digital presenceArches Housing Ltd financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Arches Housing Ltd leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Arches Housing Ltd funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Arches Housing Ltd M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Arches Housing Ltd
What does Arches Housing Ltd do?
Arches Housing Ltd is a charitable housing association that owns, manages, and maintains approximately 1,300 to 1,400 social and affordable rented homes, plus around 100 shared ownership properties, across Sheffield, Rotherham, and North East Derbyshire. Its primary product is the rental of social and affordable housing, complemented by shared ownership home purchase, comprehensive property repairs and maintenance, building safety compliance, and a 24/7 tenant wellbeing and support service. Tenants access these services via an online customer portal, phone, email, or in person at the Sheffield headquarters.
Is Arches Housing Ltd a public or private company?
Arches Housing Ltd is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Arches Housing Ltd founded?
Arches Housing Ltd was founded in 1975. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Arches Housing Ltd based?
Arches Housing Ltd is headquartered in Sheffield, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Arches Housing Ltd make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Social Rent is the primary driver. The others are shared Ownership, service Charges and contents Insurance.
Who are Arches Housing Ltd's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stonewater, EMH Group, Together Housing, Yorkshire Housing, LiveWest, Longhurst Group, Habinteg and Sanctuary Housing Association.
Does Arches Housing Ltd have an API?
No public API is recorded for Arches Housing Ltd.
What industry is Arches Housing Ltd in?
Arches Housing Ltd's product category is Social Housing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAJAGAJ, Affordable Housing Property Management, with a secondary code of BPAJAMAI, Affordable & Public Housing Asset Management. Its NAICS code is 531311 and its SIC code is 6513.