With an official birthday of 10th May, anniversary celebrations formally kicked off last week with a lunch for the organisation’s staff and board at the Association’s Barrowfield Community Centre in Glasgow’s East End.

WSHA will be marking the milestone anniversary throughout the summer with events around their neighbourhoods, all culminating in a special celebration day in September to coincide with the Association’s Annual General Meeting.

Established as Christian Action Glasgow Housing Trust in 1965, by Rev. Richard Holloway, the Association began by managing three tenement flats in Pollockshields, Glasgow. In the intervening 60 years, WSHA has expanded to become landlord to over 4500 properties across the West of Scotland, including social rent, sheltered and amenity accommodation and mid-market rent properties.

The WSHA Group also consists of charitable subsidiary Willowacre Trust, which operates a wide range of community support services for all WSHA tenants, and Westscot Living, commercial subsidiary established in 2023 to manage factored properties and the Association’s expanding mid-market rent provision.

As one of Scotland’s oldest and larger social landlords, West of Scotland HA has always been powered by innovation and imagination, and this remains true as they look forward towards another 60 years of serving communities. Future strategic objectives including increasing the use of AI to help deliver more services, growth through building more homes across tenures, and expansion of its subsidiaries.

Simon Fitzpatrick, chief executive, said: “Our communities have seen the vision of a handful of pioneers grow into a large organisation that plays a significant part in the day-to-day lives of thousands of people across the West of Scotland. 

“This legacy has been built by committed and dedicated people - our expert Board, outstanding staff, and most important of all, our thousands of tenants and customers who engage brilliantly to help us co-design great homes, neighbourhoods, and services. We can’t wait to spend the summer celebrating our achievements together, and look forward to the next 60 years, providing homes and support to more and more people in the west of Scotland.”

Kelly Adams, chair of the WSHA board, added: “Throughout all the milestones and changes of the last sixty years, West of Scotland have always been guided by our values: respect, inclusiveness, integrity, support, and a drive to improve. 

“It is these values that make the difference in the lives of the people in our neighbourhoods – values which are shown every day by our tremendous staff team and our board. These values make me proud to have served as chair for the last five years and I’m looking forward to celebrating with our team and our communities this summer.”