Hightown is a charitable housing association, operating in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, aiming to help people who need support and care or who cannot afford to buy or rent a home at market values. We do this by building hundreds of much needed new homes and providing care and supported housing services for a wide range of people.

Mission, values and culture

Our mission

Building homes. Supporting people.

A mother and son sat outside of a house on the front doorstep.
Our values

  • Put residents and service users first

  • Treat people with respect

  • Be cost effective

  • Don't compromise standards or safety

  • Develop passionate and committed teams

Property services inspector and a resident walking around the estate
Our culture

Hightown's culture aligns with our values and social purpose. We are supportive, inclusive and responsive and share an ambition to learn and to develop for the benefit of current and future residents and service users.

residents voice and scrutiny panel members stood outside the Hightown head office with two members of staff.
Our purpose

Hightown’s aim is to provide as many homes as we can at below market rates and a wide range of housing and support for people who are vulnerable and/or disabled. Hightown’s history over more than 50 years shows our continuing focus on our strong social purpose.

Hightown is committed to retaining its distinctiveness and its reputation for making projects happen which demonstrate Hightown’s values and contribution to society.

We believe that, by developing decent homes and supporting individuals to live with confidence, independence and choice, our work delivers a tangible positive impact for local communities.

Hightown service user with Support Worker giving the thumbs up

Our history

Hightown was formed in 1967 by a group of highly-committed volunteers in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

The housing and homelessness crisis had been highlighted by the famous BBC drama ‘Cathy Come Home’.

Housing associations including Hightown started to build or acquire property and set up small hostels or housing projects.

Over the years, Hightown merged with other local housing associations including Praetorian H.A. and St. Albans and District Churches H.A.

Hightown was among the first housing providers to join the ‘Care in the Community movement' in the 1980s and has operated supported living schemes and care homes since 1983.

In 2017 we celebrated our 50th anniversary and everything we have achieved since 1967. But, there is still a housing crisis. This is why we founded the Homes for Cathy Group, which brings housing associations, local authorities and charities together to work on strategies to end homelessness.