The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust was established in 1968 to take over responsibility for the housing operations of the Joseph Rowntree Memorial Trust (now known as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation - JRF). JRF was one of the three trusts created by Joseph Rowntree in 1904 and was originally established to administer Joseph Rowntree's model village, New Earswick. In 1959 the objectives of the original trust were widened to include research and development and this remains JRF's purpose today.
JRHT owns the freehold of the vast majority of the properties in New Earswick (including homes for rent and shared ownership, the shops, the communal facilities and the schools) and this still accounts for about 50% of the Trust's stock. The Trust acts as the landlord for the rented property and supports the community and educational activities in the village.
JRHT also carries out housing and care schemes in York and elsewhere in Yorkshire. These are of an innovative nature, demonstrating new forms of tenure, meeting special needs, creating strong self governing communities and exploring new features of design. The special link with JRF enables research to inform practice and practice to inform research.
Timeline
1902-1904
Joseph Rowntree purchases land at Huntington, April 1902, Raymond Unwin appointed architect and draws up first outline plans of New Earswick. 28 houses built.
1904-25
Joseph Rowntree Village Trust established December 1904. Object: to alleviate the condition of the working classes by provision of improved dwellings and organisation of village communities.
1904-1919
229 houses built with no subsidies.
1907
Folk Hall built; village council established.
1910
The Trust makes its first grant to a housing body -National Housing Reform Council.
1912
Primary school built with modern open air design.
1919
Barry Parker becomes architect and remains in post until his death in 1946.
The Trust begins supporting the Garden Cities & Town Planning Association.
1919-1936
259 houses built -mostly with subsidies - to more simplified, standardised designs.
1925
Death of Joseph Rowntree.
1935
Folk Hall enlarged in New Earswick.
JRVT becomes a founder member of National Federation of Housing Societies.
1936
Seebohm Rowntree retires from York; JRVT purchases his property,The Homestead, and thereafter maintains gardens as a public park.
1941
Secondary school opened.
1942
Louis de Soissons appointed Consultant Architect.
1944-1954
JRVT helps fund City of York post-war plan.
1946-1954
104 new houses completed, starting with 12 old peoples' cottages (1946).
White Rose estate programme includes more varied accommodation and continues through 1950s.
1948
Modernisation programme for individual houses begins.
Nature Reserve developed on site of old brick works.
JRVT moves its offices from Rowntree factory to Beverley House.
1951
Old people's accommodation provided at The Garth.
1954
Death of Seebohm Rowntree.
1958
The Garth extended to provide old peoples bungalows.
'Swedish' flats for single people built in New Earswick.
1959
Private Act of Parliament changes Trust deed to enable renamed Joseph Rowntree Memorial Trust (JRMT) to support research in housing and social questions.
1960
Ray Fraser becomes consultant architect.
JRMT joins with other Rowntree Trusts in supporting foundation of University of York (grant of £100,000).
1965
Ouse Lea estate built.
1966
Older people's flats completed on Lime Tree Avenue.
1967
New Earswick swimming pool built.
1968
Formation of Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust as a legally separate housing association.
1968-1979
New Earswick Village Council re-constituted as a community association - NE Village Association of 25 members.
1970-1979
East side modernisation programme, involving new road, pedestrianisation and systematic reconstruction of house interiors, undertaken after surveys of village opinion.
1971
Maple Court flats replace older houses demolished in Station Avenue.
1973
Fair rents system adopted.
1976-1983
Red Lodge extended to provide sheltered accommodation.
1978
The Homestead converted into offices for Rowntree Mackintosh.
1979
New Earswick Village Association reconstituted as 12 member Village Council, following recommendation of Adams Report.
1979-1980
33 dwellings built on Willow Bank as community leasehold but have to be sold on 99 -year leases because not deemed charitable housing.
1979-1982
Clementhorpe (York) scheme of urban renewal, improvement for sale and sheltered housing.
1982
Trust wins High court case determining that Leasehold Schemes for the Elderly are charitable housing.
1984
Hostel for people with learning difficulties opened at Dormary Court in partnership with York Mencap Hostels Association.
1985-1987
Further schemes with alternative tenures at Heslington Court, Mistral Court / Sturdee Grove and Upper Poppleton York, Danes Dyke and Woodlands Vale, Scarborough; first flexible tenure scheme at Dower Court, York.
1987
Shared ownership scheme at Woodlands Place.
New doctors' surgery built in New Earswick.
1988
Juniper Close mixed tenure development includes renting, shared ownership and outright sale.
Friends Meeting House opens.
1988-1993
Three-way partnership between JRHT and other housing associations (Hull Churches, and Sadeh Lok) to build schemes at Hull, Huddersfield and Monkton Road, York.
1989
Building programme to complete south west corner of New Earswick village continues with flats and houses at Alder Way and Hazel Close (flexible tenure).
1989-1994
Plans to build a Continuing Care Community (Hartrigg Oaks) receive approval.
1990
JRMT changes name to JRF and moves to The Homestead.
Housing welfare advice service established by the Housing Trust.
Tenant participation strengthened by increasing residents' representation on JRHT committees.
1991
Flexible care and new warden control at Red Lodge.
Lamel Beeches residential accommodation for the elderly built jointly with The Retreat hospital.
1992-1994
JRHT builds Woodlands - first estate built entirely to 'Lifetime Homes' standard.
1993
'Dependency scoring' system of care assessment pioneered.
Charles Court hostel built at Strensall in partnership with York Mencap Hostels Association.
1994
Hostel for cerebral palsy sufferers built at Alder Way, jointly with York and District Cerebal Palsy Society.
1995
ETHOS (Existing Tenants Home Ownership Scheme) launched, later replaced by Government's Voluntary Purchase Grant scheme.
Housing estates at Victoria Way / Geldof Road and Woodlands - using mixed and flexible tenure - completed.
1997
First students receive JRF Certificate in Care.
Community Development Officer and Family Support Worker appointed.Sale of alternative vacant properties (SAVE) scheme introduded in New Earswick.
1998
First residents move into Hartrigg Oaks.
1999
The Garth used by Kosovan refugees.
2001
Housing staff move to converted offices at The Garth.
2002
Centenary of Joseph Rowntree's purchase of land in New Earswick.
Agreement signed for purchase of land at Osbaldwick , to develop Derwenthorpe model community, from City of York signed.
Building works at Bedford Court, Leeds, commenced.
2004
Federation of Resident Groups established. Bedford Court opened piloting flexible skill mix.Proposal for new community (Derwenthorpe) to the east of York submitted to City of York Council.
2005
Awarded £9.8m from Department of Health to fund a new extra care village in Hartlepool.Launched a national competition to develop a disused garge site - Elm Tree Garage - in New Earswick.Launched JRHT website at the JRHT Annual Meeting on 1st September.
