Issue - meetings

Resolved: the committee thanked the representatives from Phoenix for their presentation and noted the evidence provided.  

Angela Hardman (Head of Development, Phoenix Community Housing) delivered a presentation on Phoenix’s approach to engaging residents through the development and delivery of new homes. The following key points were noted from the presentation:

1.1  Phoenix are aiming to deliver an increasing number of new homes in Lewisham. The majority of their development programme is due to be delivered over the next 3-4 years.

1.2  All of the sites Phoenix will be developing sit within existing communities and estates. The impact on existing residents is an important consideration when thinking about how to deliver.

1.3  Phoenix’s approach to resident engagement on housing development, called “building together”, sets out a number of commitments to residents affected by new homes.

1.4  When Phoenix was established a number of promises were made to residents and Phoenix are looking to follow a similar approach with the delivery of new homes.

1.5  Phoenix wants to develop proposals together with residents in a similar way to how it has with improvements to properties in the past.

1.6  They also intend to engage residents when they start to buy land for development in order to hear residents’ views on affordable housing options such as shared ownership for example. 

1.7  Phoenix aims to ensure that residents have an opportunity to get involved at every stage. This includes considering and funding environmental improvements identified by residents

1.8  Phoenix are conscious of the risk that existing residents may see investment in new homes as something that’s not necessarily for them and want to ensure that the new homes programme is aligned with the interests and aspirations of existing residents.

1.9  Establishing and understanding existing residents’ priorities and ideas for environmental improvements comes through the consultation process when developing new homes.

1.10      Phoenix’s approach is intended to address the question “what’s in it for us?”.

1.11      Residents are engaged at the beginning of the development process, when development is initially being considered on a certain piece of land, to ask what’s important to them in their neighbourhood, while stressing the importance of delivering new homes.

1.12      They also intend to discuss with residents the balance between maximising new homes and economic viability. 

1.13      At later stages in the process, residents will help select architects. Residents will also be involved in the selection of contractors and how to minimise disruption during construction and ongoing engagement during construction. During the construction of Hazlehurst Court, for example, Phoenix offered free coffee and cake at the Green Man community centre while the foundations were being laid.

1.14      Phoenix also carry out post-occupancy surveys with residents to gather feedback to help improve future developments.

1.15      Phoenix recognises that some of the money being invested in new homes has be raised through the rental stream that existing residents pay.

1.16      If environment improvements are identified and committed to, they are funded and put into a programme to be delivered over the course of the development programme.

1.17      One of the different ways Phoenix seeks to engage residents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5