Our History

EPIC (Empowering People Inspiring Communities Ltd.) is a not-for-profit Registered Provider of Social Housing, registered with Companies House as a company limited by guarantee and also a registered Charity. We were formed in 1998 following a stock transfer from Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Our overall mission is to ensure that every home is safe and that the needs of our tenants are reflected in the services we provide.  We work closely with partners and agencies to enable people to access other services to live a full and good life; developing relationships that are transparent and responsive to the needs of our tenants.

In our first few years of operation, we concentrated on bringing our 925 flats into good condition and improving their management and maintenance. In 2000, we began to expand our stock, purchasing 10 houses in the Bentilee area. Now, over a quarter of our properties are family-sized houses.

We have a strong commitment to our local communities, and in 2005, we worked with an architect and local people to develop the Bentilee Delivery Plan. Following this, in 2009, we worked to refurbish Bentilee Pavilion and Park.

The 2010s saw us continue to grow. We did this by buying existing properties in Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and the Staffordshire Moorlands, carrying out work to bring them up to modern standards. In 2014, we grew to 1,038 properties, meaning that we officially became classified by the Regulator of Social Housing as a large Housing Association.

In 2015, we were awarded £636,000 in grant funding to deliver our most ambitious growth programme to date – including a number of properties in our Rent2Buy scheme. By 2020, we had over 1,200 properties in management. In 2021, we acquired 170 properties via a stock transfer from another Housing Association, and we now own over 1,400 homes right across North Staffordshire.

Bringing us right up to 2025, our focus remains on providing core quality services to tenants and their homes, ensuring that homes are safe and well-maintained, and places our tenants are proud to call home.

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Celebrating 100 Years of Social Housing in Stoke-on-Trent 

In November 2025, as part of the Stoke-on-Trent Centenary celebrations, we partnered with Brighter Futures, Honeycomb Group, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council to launch a moving film that tells the story of social housing over the last 100 years. Produced by Reels in Motion, the film blends archive footage, personal stories from residents, and conversations about the future—capturing the heart and soul of what social housing means to our communities. 

Tracey Johnson, CEO, said: 

“This collaboration between our four organisations is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when we work together with a shared purpose. The video marking 100 years of social housing is not just a celebration of the past, but a testament to the resilience, innovation, and community spirit that have shaped generations. By joining forces, we honour the legacy of social housing while inspiring future progress in creating homes that truly transform lives.” 

From the first council houses built after the Addison Act of 1919, to the vibrant communities we see today, social housing has been at the core of Stoke-on-Trent’s growth. At EPIC, we remain committed to this legacy, providing safe, secure, and affordable home whilst empowering our tenants with the resources and support they need to thrive 

Watch the commemorative film below and join us in celebrating 100 years of progress.