Howard Cottage Housing Association was established (as Howard Cottage Society) in 1911 by Ebenezer Howard, the pioneer of the Garden City movement. Howard devised and managed the development of Letchworth Garden City to provide good quality housing for working class people who were attracted to the area as a result of blossoming industry.

Since our creation, we have become a respected part of the town’s history, not least, for our key role in helping to establish the architectural basis for the development of large scale local authority housing after the First World War.  

Howard Cottage also continued to be a strong local presence in spite of the increased programme of council house development in the town throughout the mid 20th century. Some of our houses continue to attract architects and historians alike who want to learn more about the innovative building techniques and designs used by the housing pioneers of Howard’s team.