Asra Midlands Housing Association was founded in 1979 and was originally known as the Asra Project. The project was established by a group of concerned workers in the care professions, who wished to respond to incidences of elderly Asians becoming homeless, living in isolated conditions and suffering from physical and verbal harassment.

The initiative arose from the jointly-held belief that local authority provision for the needs of the group was often non-existent and, where it did occur, it could not satisfactorily deal with the groups particular linguistic, cultural, dietary and religious needs.

In recognition of these difficulties, the project sought to provide its first phase of 17 self-contained units of accommodation for the elderly by working in partnership with well-established local housing associations. This was achieved through the acquisition and conversion of some larger properties in the Highfields and Belgrave areas of Leicester.

The project subsequently re-named itself Asra Housing Association. Asra means shelter in Hindi and Urdu.

The Association is an Industrial and Provident Society 24061R, and became registered with the Housing Corporation L3533 in December 1984, as a Black Minority Ethnic Housing Association. Following registration Asra commenced development in its own right.

Now working in eight local authority areas in the Midlands region, Asra Midlands is approaching 1,500 homes in management.

The broad range of accommodation provided includes Category I and II sheltered housing accommodation, residential care homes, general needs family housing and supported housing schemes which includes housing for women fleeing domestic violence and accommodation for people with mental health problems and learning disabilities.

Asra Midlands is unique in that it understands that the provision of homes for people with an Asian lifestyle requires a pragmatic and sensitive approach to issues ranging from the management of sheltered schemes to their geographical location; the latter being essential in order to create an environment in which tenants are happy, able to access established community support networks and which meets their cultural, spiritual and linguistic needs.

The scope of Asra Midlands’ activities, however, extends beyond the provision of bricks and mortar accommodation, to encompass the concepts of “added value” and diversification. For example the Association provides a 24 hours a day multi-lingual emergency Control Centre for older residents living in sheltered housing schemes. It also provides lifeline services for people who require re-assurance and support but who also wish to retain their independence whilst living in the comfort of their own homes. The Control Centre is also used for the reporting of emergency repairs.

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