The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen, has officially broken ground on a much-anticipated Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA) project to build 28 affordable homes on the Queenshill estate in north Leeds.
This new development marks the second phase of a two-part scheme by LJHA, partially funded by Homes England. The properties will include a mix of 14 two-bedroom homes, 12 three-bedroom homes, a two-bedroom apartment, and a one-bedroom adapted ground floor apartment, designed to meet the diverse needs of the local community.
The first phase of the development, completed in 2022, includes 85 new homes — 51 of which are sheltered housing apartments for residents aged 55 and over, alongside 34 general needs apartments. The project earned recognition as Best Housing Development at the Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Awards in 2023. Phase two, known as The Island Site, is scheduled for completion in spring 2026.
At the recent groundbreaking ceremony, Councillor Dan Cohen was joined by the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Elayna Cohen, local ward councillors, community leaders, project partners, LJHA Board members, and residents. Councillor Dan Cohen hailed the development as ‘a landmark moment’ that will deliver ‘much-needed affordable family homes’ for the area.
LJHA’s mission is to continuously improve its services in collaboration with residents, focusing on providing affordable homes, quality services, and sustainable communities. The association aims to foster a sense of belonging and support among residents, ensuring that housing solutions meet the evolving needs of the Jewish community.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen said:
“The contribution that the construction of these new family homes is going to make to the Leeds Jewish community, and to the wider community in delivering much needed family homes, is incalculable.
“Leeds Jewish Housing Association has a proud history, not just of delivering what the community needs in terms of housing, but it’s the quality of the housing, it’s the caring nature of the support of its residents.
“That makes me so proud, here in Leeds, to have Leeds Jewish Housing Association as part of the fabric of our community. I wish you every success.”
LJHA Chair Jonathan Shaw expressed his gratitude to the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress for their presence at the event and extended special thanks to the Sheffield Jewish Housing Association and the Brown family for their generous support. He also acknowledged the contributions of LJHA staff, volunteer board members, and residents whose dedication has helped bring the project to life.
Addressing guests, Jonathan Shaw reaffirmed the association’s core mission: to provide ‘good quality affordable homes primarily for the Jewish community’. He noted that while LJHA currently owns around 500 properties, only 37 are family houses— highlighting a pressing demand, with many families still waiting for suitable accommodation.
Leeds Jewish Housing Association Chair Jonathan Shaw said:
“I am really delighted therefore, that leading Leeds construction company Jack Lunn are starting to build these 28 new homes for families in our community. These are families who will be able to live affordably in Leeds 17 to bring up their children with access to our synagogues, our schools, The Zone Youth Club and the MAZ Community Centre.”
Leeds Jewish Housing Association Chief Executive Mark Grandfield said:
“The new homes would link well with the completed phase one properties, each having their own separate lounge and kitchen diners, private gardens, private parking and future-proofed heating systems.
“With our last plot of developable land, we have created as many properties as viable whilst maintaining good quality homes with their own private space. They will replace some very tired properties and rejuvenate the Queenshill estate.”
Karen Bryant, Community Liaison Representative at Jack Lunn Limited said:
“We are a local construction company, and this isn’t the first time our paths have crossed. Jack Lunn worked with Leeds Jewish Housing Association in the 1980s including building the Green Park scheme, a sheltered complex of 27 flats and bungalows for the over 55s.
“The quality of the building isn’t simply in the end product. It also comes through the thought, consideration and intention imbued in the project whilst it’s being constructed. As part of our commitment here, we’re also working as volunteers with St Gemma’s Hospice, and Leeds North and West Food Bank. At Jack Lunn, we don’t just build houses, we contribute to building communities.”
Looking ahead, LJHA remains committed to its mission of providing affordable, high-quality housing solutions for the Jewish community in Leeds. Through ongoing developments and community engagement, the association strives to enhance the quality of life for its residents and ensure the sustainability of its housing initiatives.
For more information about Leeds Jewish Housing Association and its projects, please visit www.ljha.co.uk
