Mosscare is unusual among housing associations in growing to the size of 40 units in management by voluntary effort alone. That spirit of self-confidence has stayed with us ever since. In June 1973, the first staff member was appointed and there has been a steady growth in the numbers of staff ever since. During the early years of the Association, the administration was operated from filing cabinets in the front rooms of Committee members but in 1973 an office was established in the Pastoral Centre of St James Church in Moss Side. In a spirit of optimism Mosscare held its first Open Day on the 16 July 1978.  Celebrations included the opening of Aiton House at 4 Whalley Road and Longshaw House at 164 Withington Road and ended with a thanksgiving service at St James, Moss Side, attended by the Lord Mayor of Manchester. Records show that in 1978 the average rent of a Mosscare house was £5.50!

In these early days the Association established its community development approach in the way it developed schemes with residents, for the rehabilitation of existing properties.

After a time of uncertainty for associations with Government cutbacks, famine turned to plenty in 1982 and during that the Association rehabilitated year 188 properties. Partnership was becoming a key concept in Mosscare thinking and by the mid 1980's and significant steps were being taken to give the concept practical expression. The supported housing scheme at Lapwing Lane for people with learning difficulties was opened in December 1985 with a twenty four hour support team provided by the Manchester Local Authority and, in 1986, Cardinal Glemp cut the sod of a large development for the Polish Catholic community. A Papal Delegate, accompanied by the Bishop of Manchester, officially opened the full scheme on 9 January 1987.

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