community led housing london

Rode Housing Co-op

A small group set up as a fully mutual cooperative aiming to provide housing for themselves and others.

Rode Housing Co-operative comprises architects, housing professionals and community organisers who believe that housing is a public right. The overall aim of the group is to fulfil the housing needs of those involved while simultaneously addressing housing needs in the community. They prepared proposals for rented housing on sites released by Tower Hamlets for themselves and for council nominations.

They are now investigating converting underused properties around London.

How we helped
We provided technical advice on their Tower Hamlets proposals.

Middlesex & Wellington Co-ops

Two housing co-operatives are working together to create a phased programme to create more affordable homes with modern standards.

The first site will replace three houses currently used as temporary housing with a new block, to provide more affordable rented and permanent rehousing for residents of short-life properties.

On a nearby site, Wellington Hosuing Co-op own several poor-quality short life homes, initially earmarked for demolition for a road widening scheme. These houses are currently leased and managed by Middlesex Housing Co-op, who will rehouse some of the residents in first scheme, so this site can be redeveloped to provide additional homes.

Better quality buildings will reduce aircraft and road traffic noise. Higher levels of insulation and efficient heating will address fuel poverty. Increasing the number of homes available for rent will enable more new residents, including those nominated by Hounslow Council, to move into intentionally supportive co-operative communities.

How we’re helping
We have supported initial design work and pre-application meetings

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Lambeth Self Help

Lambeth Self Help is a fully mutual housing co-operative, representing the interests of members since the 1970s.

Lambeth Self Help are committed to providing, managing and maintaining a range of affordable homes for co-operative members where they can live together in a diverse and sustainable community.

They own 52 street properties; most of which are large Victorian houses. Several of the properties are occupied by single older people, who increasingly need accessible homes. LSH aim to provide smaller homes, more suitable for their ageing membership, on a several infill sites. This will free up some of the larger properties for families from the Council’s housing waiting list, where there is high demand for large family homes.

How we’re helping
We have advised on the development strategy and selection of the professional team, and are providing guidance on the approach to planning, and delivering the homes.

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Gloucester Grove TMO

The Gloucester Grove Tenant Management Organisation are looking at community-led housing solutions to gain support for new homes that alleviate overcrowding on the estate. 

The TMO is elected by residents to ensure housing maintenance is more accountable. They identified under-utilised space on the Gloucester Grove Estate, with an opportunity to provide 10-15 affordable homes. These homes will help alleviate the problem of overcrowding experienced by many who live on the estate. The community-led approach will give residents the opportunity to influence the scheme and develop new skills. 

How we’re helping 
We have helped the TMO engage with residents about the potential project and to discuss partnership options with Southwark Council. 

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Susan Road

The Royal Borough of Greenwich released these sites in Kidbrooke specifically for Community Land Trusts

Greenwich join a string of boroughs including Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Croydon, and Camden in creating opportunities for community led housing, with several others working on individual schemes.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Anthony Okereke said “this initiative is part of our pledge to use innovative approaches to develop affordable housing in perpetuity for the borough’s residents and create sustainable communities”.

Greenwich Citizens Housing and London CLT were successful in being selected with designs consisting of two modest, low-rise infill housing schemes which carefully respond to their immediate neighbours. The proposals look to enhance their surroundings and public realm, including a focus on improving the well used pedestrian route from Susan Road to the Kidbrooke Parade.
They also secured the Fleixstowe Road site in Abbey Wood.

How we’re helping
We supported two groups in preparing proposals for the council, and are funding London CLT to progress a planning application with Archio.

 
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