Ducane came about as the product of the desire by the Royal Postgraduate Medical School (RPMS), in the mid 1960's to provide family accommodation for its students. Based at the Hammersmith Hospital on Ducane Road (now part of Imperial College), the RPMS aimed to have accommodation 'across the road' for its students and, in 1971, the land, now the Ducane 'estate', was purchased from the British Railways Board with a GLC grant of just over £3m.

The Association was formed in March 1972 and registered as a Friendly Society. In 1975 Ducane registered with the Housing Corporation, who took over a loan orignally from the Greater London Council.

Since that time the Association has developed new schemes with a mixture of charitable and private funding and its own resources.

Our Mission

To deliver high quality and affordable homes to students of Imperial College and staff at the Hammersmith Hospital, and to other students and key workers.We will do this by:

Maintaining and strengthening our relationship with Imperial College and Hammersmith Hospital

Seeking development opportunities in line with our capabilities

Making efficient and effective best use of our resources

Providing high quality services to our residents

Having well trained and motivated staff providing a service that meets high standards of tenant satisfaction

The Vision

Within the next 3-5 years, Ducane will be widely recognised as an innovative and well-managed organisation that is a leader in its field, and a role model for specialist housing associations.

In particular:

Our core business will remain that of a niche provider of high quality student and key worker accommodation
We will have successfully completed the Ducane House and reinvestment projects
All the homes that we own or manage will meet the Decent Homes Standard
We will have grown our business in a controlled way through development opportunities which

Meets our development criteria
Play to Ducane’s strengths and skills
Add value to and reduce risk to Ducane’s business

These values remain strong and guide the work of the staff and the governing body.