15th June 2026

Eden Housing Association (EHA) marked National Volunteering Week (1–5 June 2026) by taking part in community litter-picking activities in Penrith and Kirkby Thore, combining its commitment to local communities with support for World Environment Day. Colleagues came together to help improve the areas where they live and work, demonstrating the organisation’s dedication to making a positive difference for residents.

By the end of the week, the teams had collected an amazing 71 bags of litter, alongside a range of bulky waste items and recyclable materials.

Stephen Colclough, Vice Chair of EHA, who also took part in the event, commented: “It was fantastic to spend time with colleagues and see first-hand the impact the team has made throughout the week. Working together in this way helps keep our communities looking their best and reflects the pride we all take in the places where we live and work.”

EHA also thanked Westmorland and Furness Council’s team for providing the litter-picking equipment and collecting the full bags of rubbish.

20th May 2026

6th March 2026

The voluntary Board of the Lyvennet Community Trust (LCT) has announced an agreement with Eden Housing Association (EHA) to secure the long‑term future of their homes at Stoneworks Garth in Crosby Ravensworth.

LCT concluded that transferring ownership and management of the homes to a larger housing association would best support tenants and ensure that the scheme’s local occupancy requirements continue to be protected.

David Graham, Chair of the LCT Directors and Trustees, said “Eden Housing Association was the natural choice. They supported LCT from the earliest stages of planning and development, and they have managed all day‑to‑day housing and tenant services since the homes were first let. Our tenants have always dealt with EHA staff, so the transfer has been a seamless transition that provides ongoing security of tenure.”

The journey began when the Crosby Ravensworth Housing Steering Group was formed to explore how a Community Land Trust model could deliver affordable homes for the communities in Crosby Ravensworth Parish in the Lyvennet Valley. This work led to the creation of the Lyvennet Community Trust in January 2009 and the Stoneworks Garth development comprising 10 homes was officially opened on 27 October 2012 by Rory Stewart, then MP for Penrith and The Border.

Reflecting on the Trust’s work, David added “LCT has always benefited from a strong, skilled Board drawn from the local community. Over the years, 14 people have served as Directors, and we are proud to still have six of our original Board Members. There have been many highlights, but one stands out. After 18 months of lobbying for Government funding through Housing Associations, we finally received word from our MP in November 2010 that we had secured £660,000—though with several conditions. Within just four and a half months, we had to acquire the site, appoint an architect, secure planning permission, tender the build, appoint a contractor, and arrange £1.45m in bridging finance. We achieved it with just 24 hours to spare.”

He added that the most memorable moment for the Board was “the handover of keys to our first tenants in mid‑2012.”

Douglas Ross, Chair of Eden Housing Association, commented “EHA is delighted that LCT has entrusted us with the long-term future of their homes and we look forward to continuing to provide quality affordable housing in Crosby Ravensworth”

EHA & LCT – (l to r) – David Graham LCT Chair, Chris Fawcett EHA CX, Karen Winder LCT Director & tenant, Jenny Everingham EHA Director of Operations, Doug Ross EHA Chair, Stuart Roberts LCT Director and tenant

19th December 2025

23rd October 2025

Savills Financial Consultants worked with Eden Housing Association (EHA) to help it agree a £45m funding package with Barclays and Nationwide.

The 2,000-home housing association will use the increased financial capacity to deliver its Business Plan to invest in homes in North Cumbria. This includes building new affordable homes in areas of high demand across the Eden Valley and North Lakes and continuing to invest £5-6m a year in improving and maintaining tenants’ homes.

The team at Savills Financial Consultants, alongside EHA’s legal advisors, Devonshires were able to work with EHA to agree updated loan covenants with long-term lender Barclays on an existing £19m term debt facility, with flexibilities for a fixed or variable rate, and also arrange £6m in new funding as a Revolving Credit Facility (RCF).

Savills Financial Consultants also introduced new lender Nationwide to EHA with a £20m loan.

Guy Johnson, Director of Finance & Corporate Resources at EHA, said: “This is great news for Eden Housing Association, and more importantly for our current and future tenants. We are committed to investing in existing homes and services, meeting sustainability targets and building new homes across rural Cumbria.

“As a community rooted, tenant focused organisation we pride ourselves on providing good quality, safe and affordable homes. We are delighted to partner with the funders to ensure we can deliver on our future plans.”

Mike Roche, Director at Savills Financial Consultants, said: “Our team is pleased to have been able to help Eden Housing Association achieve a key aim in its Business Plan of reviewing its Treasury Strategy and completing this refinancing.

“This is an important moment for Eden Housing Association as it enhances its existing relationship with long-term lender Barclays, while updating its stock transfer loan covenants, restructuring its interest rate hedging approach and adding new finance to increase its financial capacity and to help deliver their aims for tenants.”

Robert Hession, Relationship Director at Barclays, said: “Barclays has proudly supported Eden Housing Association since its inception, financing their original stock transfer in 1997.

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership through this latest refinancing, which unlocks additional capacity for Eden Housing Association to build new affordable homes and invest further in their existing homes. This reflects Barclays’ continued commitment to housing associations like Eden, who play a vital role in the UK economy and in addressing some of the nation’s most pressing social challenges.”

Heidi Billington, Director of Property Finance & Public Sector Lending at Nationwide, said: “As a longstanding lender to the UK`s Social Housing Sector, we are delighted to welcome Eden Housing Association as a new customer of Nationwide.

“With both organisations rooted firmly in delivering social purpose, we are proud to support Eden Housing Association with a £20 million facility, that will go towards much-needed new homes and investment into existing tenants’ properties across Cumbria”.

EHA new homes at Penruddock, Penrith

30th September 2025

Our 2025 Annual Report has been published and is now available!

A copy has been sent to all tenants, either in hard copy or via email.  If you’d like to receive a copy, please email [email protected] providing your contact details.

Just click here to see what has been happening over the year Annual Report 2025

14th August 2025

Due to planned works taking place at our offices at Blain House, Bridge Lane, Penrith on Tuesday 19 August, there will be limited customer access to our reception area using the front entrance.You can still contact us by using:

Our Online Portal: https://myaccount.edenha.org.uk to send a direct message to our team, update your details, log a repair, make a payment.

By email: [email protected]

Or by telephone:

Repairs: 0800 3581 401 or 01768 861434

Mainline: 01768 861400

Please accept our sincere apologies for any disruption this may cause. Full access will be available from 9.00am on Wednesday 20 August 2025.

22nd July 2025

8th May 2025

EHA is pleased to announce that it recently appointed two new Board Members, who will strengthen the expertise of the existing Board.

Joining the Board of Management are Paul Vines and Sue Powell.  Paul brings experience in the legal field, technology, financial services, data protection and governance, whilst Sue brings experience from the social housing sector, policy and strategy.

Douglas Ross, Chair of EHA, commented “We are delighted that Paul and Sue have joined our Board.  With them they bring a wealth of knowledge, working experience and life skills, which will complement the quality and expertise we already have on our Board.  We are fortunate that we can attract Members who are willing to give up their valuable time to try and improve the housing situation of others.”

In addition, the Association has also recently appointed Guy Johnson to the permanent role of Director of Finance and Corporate Resources, which completes the Executive Team, alongside Chief Executive Chris Fawcett, and Director of Operations Jenny Everingham.

Douglas went on to say “It’s a strong team at EHA and we’re all committed to delivering for tenants and the local community. We’ll continue to focus on being a good landlord, by maintaining the existing homes to a good standard and delivering much needed new homes.”

11th April 2025

Douglas Ross our Chair commented “We’re delighted with the fundraising efforts of our staff who have raised money throughout the year. Not only is this a great opportunity for staff to get together and socialise, it also helps boost the Association’s chosen charity, Hospice at Home, who work tirelessly to ensure those in need can receive the care and support to remain in their own homes. Their values align with those of EHA, where we also provide support to our tenants, to remain in their homes and supported living accommodation for as long as they wish.”

5th November 2024

In its first year, Eden Housing Association’s Eden Rural Community Fund (ERCF) has awarded grants to 6 projects which will all help improve the lives of  people throughout Eden.  The projects benefitting were Newbiggin Village Hall, Armathwaite Old School Hall, Great Salkeld Village Hall and Reading Room, Upper Eden Linking Lives, Alston Town Hall Trustees and Citizen’s Advice Carlisle and Eden.  A contribution was also made to the Cumbria Community Foundation Winter Warmth fund helping to keep older people in Eden warm.

Earlier this year, ERCF were surprised to receive a bequest following the death of Penrith man George Walker.  The bequest has been added to the Fund and will result in more money being available for grants in future years.

One of the projects benefitting from the funding is Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden.  At first glance, the Eden area as a whole fares similarly to the national average for indicators of deprivation such as low income. However, this hides the real picture as there are some wards where levels of child poverty are well above the national average with the proportion of children in relative low income in the Warcop ward being 33.3% compared to the national average of 19.1%.

Access to services is poorer in Eden than elsewhere in Cumbria with transport links to rural areas being inadequate to access services. Accessing advice remotely is therefore key to helping people in a timely manner.

This grant was used to help equip the Penrith Citizens Advice office with up-to-date IT including laptops. The laptops are available for advisers to use on home visits and when staffing outreaches in Eden. This makes the advice process more efficient, saving time when completing case write-ups, freeing up interview rooms more quickly, etc.

CEO Andy Auld commented that the new IT equipment “will mean that we will be able to assist and advise more clients face-to-face and remotely in Eden. We will also be better able to train, support and retain staff and volunteers.”

Paul Foote, Panel Member of ERCF and Vice-Chair of EHA who established the fund, said “EHA Board felt strongly that it was right to set up a Fund that would benefit older, vulnerable people and improve people’s health and well-being in Eden. The Association wished to preserve the legacy of the valued Eden Community Alarms service.  We would like to encourage local groups and organisations providing services and assistance for older and vulnerable people to see if ERCF can help support them”.

The ERCF is managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, a charity dedicated to meeting community need by grant aiding community and voluntary organisations in Cumbria. It was launched in 1999 and has given out more than £60 million in grant aid. It is an award-winning charity dedicated to improving community life by making grants to local charities. For further information visit: www.cumbriafoundation.org.

Ellen Clements Senior Grants & Programmes Officer said: “Community groups across Cumbria do an amazing job of supporting those in need, alleviating loneliness and social isolation. We are very pleased to be able to support those efforts through our grant making.”

Upper Eden Linking Lives who benefitted from the Eden Rural Community Fund

15th October 2024

After completing her full term of office, Beth Furneaux has retired from her position as Chair on the Board of Eden Housing Association.

Stepping up from Chair of Audit & Risk to Chair of the Board is Douglas Ross, who has served on the Board for 4 years.

Beth Furneaux commented, “I am delighted that Douglas Ross has taken over the role of Chair, and I’m sure he will lead the Association forward.  My time with EHA has been a real privilege, and I’m proud to have been associated with such a great team of staff who work so hard to provide a good service to all the tenants.   The tenants come first at EHA and I feel sure the Board and Executive Team will make sure this continues to be the case.”

Douglas Ross joined the Board of Management in 2020 and has been the Chair of its Audit and Risk Committee since 2022.  Doug has a wealth of housing knowledge and experience, previously employed primarily within the public and social housing sectors, and prior to retirement, was most recently employed as Finance Director and subsequently Managing Director of a Housing Association based in the North East of England.

Doug commented “On behalf of Eden Housing Association I’d like to thank Beth for her dedication and commitment over the years, for the benefit of the Association and its tenants.  And I am pleased to have been appointed to Chair the Board.”

Taking over as Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee is Elspeth James who joined the Board in 2023.  Elspeth has worked in the Building Society sector for around 30 years, and is currently the Finance Director at Penrith Building Society.

Being an avid Carlisle United supporter, Beth was delighted to receive her ‘thank you’ gift of a Carlisle United shirt – pictured is the full Board of Management, left to right Paul Foote, Douglas Ross, Becky White, Beth Furneaux, Elspeth James, Alex Rocke, Michael Baker and Stephen Colclough.  Missing from the photo is Sarah Nye.