Octavia

Octavia is a community based housing association that owns and manages some 4,000 homes in Kensington, Westminster and adjoining boroughs.  All of our properties are let to individuals or households on low incomes.  The association’s founder was Octavia Hill – a pioneer in terms of social Housing, and many of the values which underpin the work of the organisation today, reflect principles which she developed.
 
The areas where the association operates are characterised by house prices that are unaffordable for most households and an extreme shortage of affordable accommodation.
           
The association provides housing for a range of groups with specialist needs, including groups with dementia and runs specialist Extra care facilities. We also provide a service of temporary housing for a number of Local Authorities.
 
The association’s work in terms of new development includes rented housing, shared ownership and some limited building for outright sale.  We are preferred development partners with the Housing Corporation and deliver our annual development programme working jointly with Origin Housing Group and Shepherds Bush Housing Association.
 
In October 2007 the association acquired a portfolio of 20 charity shops from another housing provider in order to provide a long term income stream to support our community activities.
 
We believe that to provide the best services, we need to recruit and retain the best people, providing them with effective support and learning.   The high quality of our staff enable us to provide a committed and quality service to our tenants and service users.  We expect a positive and enthusiastic outlook, great teamwork, professionalism and innovation.  In return we seek to offer an attractive benefits package, an open and honest culture that acknowledges the true benefits of diversity and that encourages great performance.