Making a Difference report

In 1900, Victorian entrepreneur William Sutton left his fortune to build some of the first social housing in London, with a vision to transform lives. One hundred and twenty-five years later, around 360,000 people across the country call a Clarion home their own. While much has changed, our social purpose remains the same – a commitment to making a difference and providing homes for those who need them most.

As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, we’re reflecting on our history while looking to the future. Our newly formed Foresight Group, made up of thought leaders from across sectors, is helping us explore the challenges and opportunities facing housing associations and residents. Their insights will inform how we continue to support communities and work with government to deliver much-needed new homes.

Addressing climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. After 18 months of collaboration and stakeholder engagement, we became the first housing association in the UK to publish a Climate Transition Plan, setting ambitious targets and clear actions to reduce our environmental impact. Through partnerships such as our work with Octopus Energy, we’re creating and retrofitting homes that are more energy efficient – including the UK’s first ‘Zero Bills’ homes – helping residents enjoy warmer, cheaper and healthier living spaces.

Our charitable foundation, Clarion Futures, continues to transform lives, delivering more than £1bn in social value since 2016 and supporting nearly 70,000 people into jobs and training. This includes programmes helping residents move into green jobs and tackle the skills shortages that affect our retrofit ambitions. The impact can be seen in stories like Reinaldo’s, who secured his dream role as a Retrofit and Domestic Energy Assessor thanks to tailored support from Clarion Futures.

While we face significant challenges – from economic uncertainty to growing pressure on resources – our mission is clear. We’ll continue to lead with transparency, share our learning, and work in partnership across the sector to achieve lasting social and environmental sustainability. With careful stewardship, Clarion will keep making a difference for another 125 years and beyond.

Clare Miller, Group Chief Executive