Introduction to Phoenix Community Housing July 2012

Jim Ripley

Chief Executive

Who We Are 5,500 tenancies and 850 leaseholders

55% houses 45% flats

77% built before 1940

Why Phoenix

Historic lack of investment and £100m gap

Lewisham couldn't afford to achieve Decent Homes standard

Residents didn't want ALMO or transfer to RSL

Residents inspired by Preston Gateway

Set up shadow Board

Ballot 2006 Yes 2023 (67.9%)

No 920 (30.9%)

Spoilt 33 (1.1%)

Transfer 3 December 2007

Where We Are

100 different languages spoken in our areas 45% of our residents have a family member with a disability Phoenix have six LSOA’s with incomes in the lowest 10% across England Over 80% of homes are in receipt of benefits High percentage of vulnerable residents

Promises

The Phoenix standard in 5 years paid for by £42m gap funding £70m loan from Barclays £25m rent & service charge income a year

More than just a landlord

Governance Owned by our members –2100 shareholders, 700 Gold

members, 100 staff associate members.

Phoenix are the only Housing Association in London to use the Community Gateway approach

The Gateway approach empowers tenants and leaseholders to take a central part in decision-making and become shareholding members

Tenants and leaseholders are elected by residents and form the largest group on the board; 6 tenants, 1 leaseholder, 5 independents, 3 councillors

The Chair and Vice Chair of the Phoenix Board are tenants Phoenix Residents Group and 12 Area Panels – each with own

budget of £5k a year

Add festival photos

Some highlights

Will have spent £120m improving our homes by April 2013

Recently celebrated our 4,000th internal improvement 18 months 100% gas servicing SAP rating improved from 60 to 70 Will complete the promises on target AGM, over 250 attended Broadway theatre

Our new HQ and the community At the time of transfer 150 Phoenix staff and contractors worked

from five small offices

We promised our residents that we would construct our own HQ: In the heart of our area Provided a wide range of services to the community

Land swop with L&Q

Training Kitchen

A partnership with Lewisham Council’s Children & Young Peoples Directorate

Catering staff will be trained and go on to work in Lewisham’s schools and further education facilities

Provide vocational training for secondary school children and adults

Offer the community focussed courses

Training Kitchen

Credit Union

The Lewisham Plus Credit Union The Lewisham Plus Credit are

also a membership organisation

The Credit Union provide ethical

and affordable finance

Have over 8,000 members in the Boroughs of Lewisham and Bromley

Their relocation will also place them in the heart of the community they serve

Cafe

There is no local café

Our café & restaurant will be used by Phoenix staff and visitors to the building

Partnership with Training For Life, Phoenix & Lewisham

Provide affordable food and drink

10 apprentices a year

Healthy & affordable

Community Café & Pop up Restaurant

Community Hub

Community Hub A busy market place

Enterprise units and info points for: Established local small

businesses College leavers CAB, Job Centre Plus

Low cost services for the local community in return for low or no annual rent

Hub also used for large gatherings or training sessions

Our Barn and Market Square A hive of activity A partnership with Lewisham College to offer a local base for

learning

Socially gatherings Weddings Family Celebrations Conferences Concerts Arts and Crafts Theatre and Cinema and Comedy Clubs – Chess, Bridge etc Farmers market

The Phoenix Festival Our annual May day festival. Celebration of local culture Focus on taking part and having fun Attracted over 6,500 people Opportunity for community groups to come together We hope to capture this spirit in our new place!

And there is more........... The Diversity Day in October over 250 people attended this event Tenant Gathering in December – over 70 residents attended

workshops, spoke to our partners, met staff and had a good time. Summer activities for young people Winter University for 35 young local people Marton Close and Grovehill court computer training open to all

residents

Further Info & Contacts

Jim Ripley – Chief Executive, Phoenixjim.ripley@phoenixch.org.uk

Website: www.phoenixcommunityhousing.org