community led housing london

resource and advice hub

Other CLH

Phoenix Place Coproduction

We developed a model for community-led decision-making to build trust and a positive working relationship between CDS Co-operatives and residents at Phoenix Place, helped deliver improvements to green spaces as a way to bring people together and build community on the estate.

Working in Coproduction
This project trialed a new way for CDS Co-operatives to relate to its residents in order to improve outcomes for everyone involved. CDS residents and staff were supported by CLH London to work together to make decisions on the future of the estate, through a process known as coproduction – “a relationship where professionals and citizens share power to plan and deliver support [or services] together, recognising that both have vital contributions to make.” Central to the project was the establishment of a resident panel that was tasked with advising CDS on the improvements to be made to the estate. The panel was selected to ensure representation of the wider estate on identifiers such as age, gender, tenure and where they live on the estate. Typically, the panel would be selected at random and then disbanded after the project. In this case however, additional participants were invited to join a pre-existing group.

Outcomes
Throughout the process the resident panel were supported to make informed decisions on what improvements to make and who would be best placed to carry them out. This support included facilitated workshops to identify and prioritise collective needs and ambitions, as well as helping to understand detailed information on budgets, service charges, health and safety etc. As a result, a set of clear, achievable actions were proposed.

In addition to the Action Plan, a number of unintended outcomes resulted from the project. These include:

  • Improved relationships:  Better relationships between CDS staff and residents.
  • Shared responsibilities: Collaboration between residents, CDS staff and external contractors has led to a sharing of responsibilities in areas such as maintenance of plants and shrubs and access to the shared gardens. Any efficiencies depend on sustained voluntary commitment of residents.
  • Increased awareness: In designing proposals that were realistic and achievable, residents gained new knowledge on issues such as services charges, maintenance budgets, statutory requirements and health & safety. This enables them to collaborate effectively with staff and contractors and to better understand and contribute to future decision-making.
  • Phoenix Place Green Spaces Group: A volunteer group of residents have taken on responsibility for implementing and maintaining improvements to green spaces and supporting other residents to get involved.

First Brick Housing

First Brick Housing is a democratically-run, non-profit, member-owned organisation aiming to build housing and community spaces for LGBTQ+ people, creating environments where people can live safely, free from oppression and socialise in a place they can call their own.

We have provided initial advice on structuring the organisation.

They are currently seeking donations and volunteers to get the project off the ground.

Visit their website

Nubia Way

A black-led self-build co-operative who built 13 sustainable timber frame homes in the mid 1990s.

Number of homes 13 social rented homes
Location Downham, Lewisham
Completed on site 1997

Fusions Jameen was set up as a black-led self-build co-operative, inspired by projects like Greenstreet Hill. The prospective residents organised the construction work and physically built their own homes, acting as contractors for CHISEL Housing Association, who took ownership of completed homes, and offered discounted social rents in return for self-builder residents’ labour.

Construction was based on the timber frame method pioneered by architect Walter Segal, although it had to be updated to meet more recent construction standards. The houses incorporate energy saving features and environmentally-healthy specifications. Fusions Jameen also built other schemes such as Lowther Hill.

 
A recent film crowdfunded by the Architecture Foundation documents the challenging self-build process, and the sense of community that was established through that.

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. 

 Visit their website

Britannia Village Hall

The Britannia Village Hall site is an ageing but popular community centre, nursery, playground and car park managed by the West Silvertown Foundation, a local charity which operates in the Royal Docks.

They are looking into redeveloping the site to provide new facilities for community activities as well as up to 30 homes. This will not only allow local residents to benefit from the provision of updated services but will also help meet the high demand for housing locally.

How we’re helping:
We helped WSF consider viability and development options and an early stage and have supported detailed feasibility and work to ensure they have a developable lease. We have also helped in looking at the options to progress the scheme to planning, and exploring potential partnerships.

Visit their website