Reference
X867
Title
Records of the Bedford and District Churches Housing Association Ltd.
Date free text
1969-1994
Production date
From: 1969 To: 1994
Admin/biog history
Constituted in Oct 1969 and transferred to Granta Housing Society Ltd on 1 May 1994
Bedford and District Churches Housing Association Ltd (BDCHA) an ecumenical body was constituted in Oct 1969 with the object "to carry out for the benefit of the community the business of providing housing and any associated amenities for unsupported mothers and their children and other persons in necessitous circumstance upon terms appropriate to their means. The Association shall have power to do all things necessary or expedient for the fulfilment of its objects. The Association shall not trade for profit".
The specific aim was originally to provide flatlets for fatherless families, the first of these being a house which was purchased in Russell Avenue, Bedford, with accommodation for up to six mothers and babies. As the charity grew, so did the need for additional accommodation for unsupported mothers; from 1975 to 1982 the association managed a further property called Russell House in Ashburnham Road and in January 1983 purchased a hostel "Waverley House" at 2 Ashburnham Road.
The Association housed women and children until they were settled elsewhere by local authorities and offered general care and practical advice on housing, cooking etc. in that time. The association had only one paid employee and was reliant on financial support from various organisations and shareholders and the hard work of unpaid volunteers. The records show the association working tirelessly for their good cause until Mar 1st 1994 when a resolution was passed that the whole of the associations stock, property and other assets should be transferred to Granta Housing Society Ltd. The transfer date was set for 1 May 1994.
Archival history
Deposited by Mrs. Josephine Fennel, a Committee Member on 13 Apr 1995
Level of description
fonds