The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Housing Heroes Awards took place in Manchester on Monday 26th June, and Choice are delighted that our Honorary President; Leslie Morrell OBE, has been recognised with the Lifetime Achievement award.
A former farmer and politician, Leslie Morrell is recognised as a founding father of the Northern Ireland housing association movement. In 1974, at the height of the Troubles, he engaged with community leaders, local and regional government and even paramilitaries in bold new discussions to find new solutions to chronic housing need and end discrimination. Doing so at enormous personal risk, Leslie helped lay foundations for what would become community housing associations in the region. He recognised that fair and proper housing would contribute positively towards a peaceful and reconciled society.
Without Leslie Morrell’s vision, guile and bravery, such was his influence, that much-needed housing reform in the 1970s and the entire housing association movement owes its existence to Leslie.
From the seeds planted by Leslie Morrell and colleagues in 1974, a flourishing housing association movement has grown. Leslie ensured housing associations would continually raise standards and challenge injustices through collaboration, sharing of skills and resources. Although the movement is unrecognisable from its early years, it remains true to original mission, purpose and values identified by Leslie.
Michael McDonnell, Group Chief Executive of Choice Housing said:
“Housing is a core part of social integration and housing associations have contributed strongly towards a new shared future in Northern Ireland. The movement has realised and continues to reflect his vision. The association that Leslie founded has evolved into Choice. Our headquarters, Leslie Morrell House, is named in his honour and we continue to be guided and inspired by his founding principles.
“Today housing associations provide a third of affordable homes in Northern Ireland, employ more than 3,000 people and manage 44,000 homes, as well as providing high-quality care and support and many community services. It is impossible to imagine the movement without Leslie Morrell.”
