(Image: Supplied)
A former day shelter which played a key role in supporting people experiencing homelessness has been transformed into new homes for some of Bradford's most vulnerable residents.
The building on Edmund Street is owned by Horton Housing Association and now provides eight homes for individuals and families through the organisation’s Bradford Temporary Accommodation Service (BTAS).
The conversion was carried out by Chartford Housing, the development arm of Horton Housing.
The former Bradford Day Shelter has been transformed into modern homes, continuing its legacy of helping those most in need (Image: Supplied)
Horton Housing chief executive officer Gudrun Carlisle said: "Ernie gave his time, knowledge and skills freely to the organisation, helping to create many jobs and improve the lives of thousands of people across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and North Yorkshire.
"His humour, his warmth, his candour and professionalism will be very much missed.
"It is fitting that the remodelling of our Edmund Street offices, to provide much needed homes for families, has been done in memory of Ernie."
The building, which holds historical significance as the birthplace of Horton Housing in 1985, has served various roles over the years, including as the Bradford Day Shelter, a training centre, office space, and a shop distributing donated goods.
In memory of Ernie Gilbert Gray (Image: Supplied)
It has now been dedicated to the memory of Ernie Gilbert Gray, a long-standing member of Horton Housing’s management board who died in 2025 and was described as instrumental to the organisation’s development.
Mr Gray’s daughters, Ashleigh and Philippa, attended the open event and said the tribute was "a testament to the impact he has made."
Sheila Bamford, Horton Housing’s first chief executive officer, said: "I am very proud to have been involved from the early days when the premises were rented from the Council to run a basic day shelter, to the days when, with the assistance of a large grant from the National Lottery, it was turned into a modern facility for homeless people that included training, food, clothing, medical facilities and advice as well as a place to feel safe and warm during the day.
"Over the years it went on to facilitate training for refugees and other vulnerable groups and now once again it has been transformed to provide modern flats for people in housing need.
"The commitment to quality of accommodation and service delivery continues to run throughout the organisation as demonstrated by this new addition to Horton’s housing provision."
The new accommodation has been designed using trauma-informed and psychologically informed principles to create a welcoming, safe environment for residents.