Housing with Choice: A force for good
Some 50 years on from inception, Choice sees its role as a ‘force for good’ for tenants, communities, staff, and wider society, as the group remains committed to excellence, accountability and continuous improvement, writes Michael McDonnell, Choice Group Chief Executive.
Moving into the third year of delivering its Strategy to 2027, the Choice Group looks back on a period of significant progress and transformation. Today, the group manages more than 14,000 high quality homes, supporting over 30,000 tenants across a wide range of housing options. The positive impact it makes is only possible through empowered teams and strong partnerships with stakeholders which deliver benefits for the tenants and communities it serves.
In 2026, Choice became the first housing association on the island of Ireland to achieve EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) Level 5 recognition, marking an important achievement for the organisation and the social housing sector in Northern Ireland. At a time when public expectations, regulatory requirements, and tenant needs continue to evolve, this accreditation provides a clear example of how a structured commitment to leadership, quality, and continuous improvement can strengthen services and outcomes across the sector.
This significant achievement reflects nearly five decades of commitment to delivering high-quality homes, services, and community support across Northern Ireland.
The EFQM Excellence Model is internationally recognised as a framework for assessing and improving organisational performance, evaluating an organisation’s success and how services are delivered. The Level 5 designation represents one of the highest commendations available, signalling sustained excellence, maturity in systems and processes, and measurable positive impact.
Choice’s achievement demonstrates that housing providers in Northern Ireland can compete, and lead on an international stage. This is especially relevant at a time when the sector faces increasing scrutiny around transparency, governance, tenant engagement, and long-term sustainability.
During the EFQM assessment, Choice was measured across core themes including leadership, strategy, people, partnerships and resources, results, and the quality of its processes, products, and services. In every category, the assessors found consistently high standards, demonstrating a strong operational foundation and forward-looking innovation.
This achievement builds on Choice’s previous four-star EFQM rating in 2021 placing Choice among the highest performing housing associations across the UK and Ireland. This recognition reinforces Choice’s ongoing commitment to excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. EFQM accreditation provides independent, internationally benchmarked assurance that an organisation is performing to its potential, staying true to its purpose and delivering value to its communities.
The EFQM award therefore serves as a platform for further progress, strengthening Choice’s determination to addressing the evolving sector challenges, including rising living costs for tenants, a shortage of new homes, need for decarbonisation and a constant focus on health and safety and maintaining homes to the highest standards.
Choice was also awarded the ‘Platinum’ Tenant Participation Standard, the highest award in demonstrating excellence in tenant engagement. This rigorous accreditation involved staff and tenants across the organisation, and we are proud to be the first housing association on the island of Ireland to achieve this recognition, which reflects our strong commitment to tenant involvement in shaping and improving our services.
As Choice looks ahead, this recognition stands as a strong testament to its role as a ‘force for good’ and the organisation remains committed to building on this achievement.
The social housing landscape in Northern Ireland has transformed dramatically over the past 50 years. What began as a sector focused primarily on the provision of basic, affordable homes has evolved into a far more dynamic, responsive, and community centred system. The changes have not only been driven by increased investment and a strengthening of the regulatory environment, but also by the shifting needs, expectations, and aspirations of tenants.
In 2026, families and individuals seek a diverse range of living options; homes that are safe, sustainable, adaptable, and reflective of the many ways people live and work. This evolution has required housing providers to innovate, collaborate, and continually reimagine what great housing looks like. It is a journey shaped by societal change and the resilience and determination of the communities we serve, and it is this shared progress that inspires the work we do.
2026 marks a year of outstanding achievement; it also represents an important moment of reflection; the 50th anniversary of the journey to where we are now with the Choice Group.
Although Choice Housing Ireland Limited, in its current form, was established in 2014 following the merger of Oaklee and Trinity, with Ulidia and Open Door joining soon after, the organisation’s heritage extends further. Its roots can be traced back to several predecessor housing associations first registered in 1976, and it is this shared history that underpins Choice’s decision to mark 2026/27 as its 50th year of operation; a recognition of the collective contribution made over half a century.
To honour this legacy, we will reflect on the early foundations of the sector, acknowledging how those formative years shaped the organisation we are today and continue to influence how we deliver on our commitments. Throughout the anniversary year, we will celebrate the vital roles played by our communities, staff, members and partners, each of whom has been instrumental in the organisation’s journey and success.
The triple milestone of EFQM Level 5 accreditation, the ‘Platinum’ Tenant Participation Standard and the 50th anniversary marks 2026 as a pivotal year in the evolution of Choice Group. These achievements demonstrate the organisation’s proud history, its commitment to excellence, and its focus on creating positive change for the next generation.
W: www.choice-housing.org
