The chief executive of a Bradford-based housing association has said he hopes being named UK City of Culture 2025 will be pivotal in reducing disparities faced by deprived communities in Bradford.
In a statement, Manningham Housing Association chief executive Lee Bloomfield said the city’s boosted profile must be “harnessed” if it is to benefit the people who live there.
A statement from Bloomfield (pictured) read: “I congratulate everyone involved with the bid, it truly is fantastic news for Bradford and the wider district.
“Manningham Housing Association is proud to be one of the leading BME housing associations in the country with our head office located in the heart of Bradford – one of the most diverse cities in the country.
“The people of Bradford have endured a succession of disappointments stretching back over many years, most recently when the city was told it would not be getting Northern Powerhouse Rail and a much-needed new station.
“The increased profile, investment, and footfall that will come with UK City of Culture status in 2025 must now be harnessed to reduce the disparities faced by deprived communities in Bradford and Keighley.
“Working with partners, Manningham Housing Association looks forward to playing our full part in helping to extract every possible benefit from this achievement for the district and its people.”
Founded in 1986, Manningham Housing Association manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley, and is the first housing association in the country to be officially accredited for its work in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The provider was founded in 1986 following research into the housing needs of Black and Asian communities in Bradford that showed the needs of the South Asian community were not being addressed.
The association now manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents.
Image credit: Karam Alani/Shutterstock
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