About SDR

Dartington Housing Association (now South Devon Rural Housing Association Limited) (SDR) was established in 1958 under a joint initiative between the, then, Totnes Rural District Council and The Dartington Hall Trust. Its purpose was to provide housing for staff retiring from work on the Trust’s country estate.

The Association has evolved over the years into a strong, community based, organisation for South Devon. It has sound working links with the local communities, South Hams District Council, Social Services and other statutory and voluntary agencies. It has an enviable reputation in South Devon for the quality of its housing and services.

Between 1994 and 2000 the Association increased its housing stock by one third. It also participated in a number of initiatives including the Tenants’ Incentive Scheme, local authority funded and joint funded projects and the purchase of existing satisfactory houses. SDR continued to strengthen its already well established relationships with South Hams District Council and Social Services and developed its work with Teignbridge District Council.

Never one to rest on its laurels, SDR continues to flex and grow, spreading its wings to encompass a portfolio of 357 units across an ever-widening area of South West England.

The Association is following its development strategy and intends to build more affordable homes and more homes for sale to subsidise the building of affordable homes.

We see ourselves very much at the heart of our communities, offering a uniquely personal and caring service to our residents. Our role as a ‘niche’ provider enables us to get involved in housing activities that may not be of interest to others, often in partnership with local authorities.