Abri

Abri, a housing association in southern England and London

Abri is a housing association based in southern England, operating from London to Devon and from Oxford to the south coast. The organisation presents itself as one of the largest housing providers in the area and states that it manages more than 58,000 homes and community assets, with over 113,000 customers served.

Its activity combines the construction, ownership, management and sale of affordable homes. Its portfolio includes social and affordable rent, homes for sale through schemes such as Shared Ownership, and also market rent and sale.

Housing development and current developments

The association develops residential projects in various locations across southern England. Among the developments shown on its website were Ford Airfield, in West Sussex, a 50:50 joint venture with Vistry to transform the former airfield into 1,500 homes; Sherecroft Meadows, in Botley (Hampshire), with 115 homes for affordable rent and Shared Ownership; and Vale Heights, in Bristol, with 109 homes in partnership with Vistry, also for Shared Ownership and affordable rent.

Its development activity is complemented by land sales, partnership agreements and participation in the Wayfarer partnership and the Greener Futures Partnership.

Resident services and customer support

Abri offers its customers a customer portal, My Abri, to make payments, log repairs and view tenancy information. Customer support includes repairs and maintenance management, damp and mould treatment, estate services, safety in the home, pet requests, aids and adaptations, rent support, support with anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse, tenancy support and tenancy fraud prevention.

The organisation also has financial and community support programmes, such as the cost of living hub, community pantries and opportunities hubs. For leaseholders and shared owners, it offers specific information about its services, complaints, compliments and policies.

Supported housing and housing for older people

Residential options include supported housing, garages to rent, Independent Living homes and extra care properties. The latter have their own facilities and services, with specific information about their features and FAQs.

Resident involvement and community investment

The association structures resident involvement through a resident scrutiny group, involved resident lists, local groups, special interest groups and consultation processes. Community investment is organised through community investment zones, community funding and case studies. The website mentions venues such as Round About Café and Café 1759, linked to this activity.

Transparency, governance and sustainability

Abri publishes information about its governance, its board and executive team, register of interests, selection and remuneration, and resident scrutiny group. It also publishes its financial statements, its performance, performance scorecards, the social value generated and tenant satisfaction measures and consumer standards.

The organisation describes itself as a not-for-profit organisation and reinvests any surplus into building more homes and supporting communities. Its sustainability approach includes investing in homes and improving their efficiency.

Corporate structure and institutional activity

Abri and Octavia are trading names of Abri Group Limited (AGL), a charitable community benefit society registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 with number 8537, and registered with the Regulator of Social Housing with number L4172. It is also registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide regulated activities. The Swaythling Housing Society Limited is a subsidiary of AGL, a registered society with number 10237R, registered with the Regulator of Social Housing with number L0689 and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority; it provides management services to subsidiaries in the Abri group.

The association maintains dialogue with policymakers, MPs, councillors and officials at both national and local level, and participates in public consultations. It has a media hub and publishes corporate and customer news, as well as newsletters.

Location and contact

Collins House, Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 6AD