community led housing london

Other CLH

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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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.

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Bonny Downs Cohousing

A local charity founded by a Baptist church seeking to redevelop their church hall to provide a bespoke space for community activities and affordable housing for those in need.

Bonny Downs Church owns a small, old church hall building which is used for their weekly foodbank, community meal, winter night shelter, and skills courses.

Working in collaboration with the New Way project, their vision is to build an ‘urban abbey’ that will be an intentional community bringing together people from different backgrounds who are committed to sharing life with and supporting one another, united by a common goal of tackling poverty. The ground floor will have community space and a chapel, with housing above. Four to six studio homes will welcome vulnerable single people, who have experienced homelessness, who will stay for an agreed period of supported tenancy, alongside two flats for community workers. A shared kitchen and lounge will facilitate communal living, where residents will regularly prepare and eat meals together. Everyone will help maintain the house and garden together. Residents will also be invited to volunteer at the daytime services for homeless people based on the ground floor. Acting as a therapeutic community, it will be a place to rebuild lives and to foster purpose and belonging.

How we’re helping
We have helped them complete an initial feasibility study on the site, and have supported them to appoint Panter Hudspith as architects to take the project further. Our adviser Andy Redfearn has helped in preparing a planning application, and we have initiated discussions with potential lenders and partners.

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Watmos Community Homes

Watmos Community Homes was set up in 2003 by eight Tenant Management Organisations in Walsall. Three TMOs in Lambeth joined in 2012, aiming to get the same security and protection for tenant management. Watmos has a tenant majority on its board nominated by the TMOs, so the needs and wishes of residents are reflected in governance and plans. The board delegates decisions about local service delivery to the TMOs to maintain a high quality of service and local accountability.

The Ethelred TMO Committee have been considering redevelopment of parts of the Ethelred estate, and have held initial consultations locally.

How we’re helping
We have advised on community engagement and the role of local community leadership in taking the project further, and have helped to set up a steering group with Terms of Reference. We funded initial capacity studies and advised the group in the selection and briefing of architects.

 
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Homes in Mind

Homes in Mind aims to provide transitional housing for people with mental health issues before or after they enter institutions.

The concept has been developed by the local mental health charity Mind in Harrow, and empowers people with experience of mental health issues in defining mutually supportive housing. It aims to support people to live a healthier and more active life; promoting independence, inclusion and wellbeing; giving people the support they need to be as independent as they choose. Critically, in enabling people with mental health problems to live independently, the scheme will help prevent mental health deterioration. This will impact on homelessness, reduce the need for step-up supported accommodation and reduce demand for inpatient stays.

Feasibility work has explored the provision of small schemes across various council owned sites, and there is approval to focus on two infill sites. The project is now moving towards a planning application.

How we’re helping
We have worked to define the co-production and community led nature of the project and helped to incorporate a suitable organisational form, which ensures the intended residents are part of the governance of the organisation.
We provided funding and advice to refine the designs, site capacity, and viability modelling with a team of consultants, and are continuing to provide advice to the Homes in Mind board on development and partnership options with potential Registered Providers.

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