Our founder & president

Celebrating our Founder and President, Mrs Ita Symons (Cymerman) MBE.

Since its inception, AIHA has been synonymous with our founder and Chief Executive, Mrs. Ita Symons (Cymerman) MBE.

Under her leadership, AIHA acquired over 900 homes for the community, including some exceptional developments such as RIBA award winning Schonfeld Square, built on the site of the former Bearsted Memorial Hospital and opened by Baroness Thatcher in 1995, the Beenstock Home, Salford, opened in 2000 and the Beis Brucha Mother and Baby Home, a unique facility in the UK. In 1996, Mrs. Symons was awarded the MBE for services to housing.

After forty years of serving the community, Mrs Symons retired from her position as Chief Executive in September 2021 and was appointed to the honorary role of President. Mrs Symons immense contribution is celebrated on this dedicated website page.

Mrs Ita Symons, Founder and President

A new era for AIHA

Following Mrs. Symons’ retirement, Mrs Chaya Spitz OBE was appointed as AIHA’s Chief Executive. The new Executive Team is ready to deliver AIHA’s strategic ambitions and to grow our excellent care and housing services. In tandem, we have welcomed a refreshed Board of Trustees, whose dedication will support the Executive Team to achieve the best outcomes possible.

Looking ahead

The Board has affirmed its commitment to AIHA’s purpose:

Good quality homes for our existing tenants

New homes for people in housing need

Outstanding care povision

Mrs Ita Symons, Founder and President

Looking ahead

The following exciting new developments are underway:

  • New homes for shared ownership in Golders Green Road; building starts in Spring/Summer 2022
  • Working with partners in Gateshead, including Adler Housing Association and the Gateshead Regeneration Partnership with the aim of building 20 family homes for the local community
  • Developing new homes on our existing estates in Stamford Hill wherever there is the opportunity to do so
  • Seeking development opportunities – either to buy land or property on which new homes can be built or identify partnerships with other developers or housing associations