annual report
2008/09
reaching new heights
cI have lived in Handsworth for over six years. Having recently moved to the city centre, I miss the sense of community and diverse cultures it had to offer. Gladly, I still work within the Urban Living area and I am involved in various projects, programmes and community activities.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
The area is a vibrant one, rich with culture and creativity. Everything you need is in Handsworth - leisure facilities, educational establishments, community centres and a vast array of shops. I love to travel overseas and when I tell people I am from Birmingham, Handsworth is one of those places that people seem to know about as it has a very important history.
2
The area in constantly undergoing change and development, and I know that - over the years to come - it can only get better and become a community of culture and cohesion.d Justice Williams MBE Social Entrepreneur, Editor In Chief of Trulife magazine.
contents
Urban Living’s Vision is:
introducing urban living
5
foreword
7
strategy & programme priorities
9
achievements 2008/09
15
performance
25
financial overview
27
The full page photographs in this report were taken by Christopher Beech who was commissioned by Urban Living to take portraits of local people to 'star' on hoardings being placed in key locations on Urban Living development sites.
delivery board members
30
Front cover: N9NE Page 2: Justice Williams Page 4: Charlie Dalby Page 6: Soweto Kinch Page 8: Gurminder Kenth, Page 13: Shale Ahmed Page 14: Tom Parsons Page 26: Elizabeth Etti Page 29: Joel Graham-Blake Page 31: Dr Vanley Burke
Transforming the Lyng
11
Crocodile Works takes off
12
Armchair planners!
16
Neighbourhoods go green
20
Community pride goes Beyond Bricks
22
A new direction in life
24
case studies
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
“…to create a vibrant and sustainable housing market characterised by a thriving economy, cohesive communities and an appropriate range of high quality neighbourhoods.”
3
cInvisible from the road and overlooked by most city folk is a tranquil secret - Edgbaston reservoir, which is unrivalled by any other expanse of water within Birmingham.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
This area of the City has so much to offer fans of water sports, budding outdoor adventurists and others. The reservoir and nearby canal system offers people the opportunity to discover the complex canal routes and its history.
4
Since moving from Portsmouth – and to my surprise - I have discovered a wealth of outdoor activities in the City. There is more than just bars, clubs and shopping; if you want to get involved in water sports, then Birmingham is the place to come!d Charlie Dalby on the Smethwick to Birmingham canal. She is a student at University College Birmingham studying Adventure Tourism Management and is Assistant Instructor at Edgbaston Watersports.
introducing urban living In order to achieve its vision Urban Living has set five Strategic Objectives. They are: Growth:
ensuring that the majority of household growth can be accommodated and retained in the Urban Living area.
Urban Living is a Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder
The Urban Living area has a very ethnically diverse
set up by central Government to tackle the range of
population. It includes 150,000 people and 60,000
problems that affect local people – overcrowding, lack
homes in North West Birmingham and parts of Sandwell.
of housing choice, empty properties and run-down
The area extends from the edge of Birmingham City
neighbourhoods.
Centre northwest towards Sandwell and includes Aston, Newtown, Lozells, Winson Green, Handsworth, Smethwick, West Bromwich and Greets Green.
Connectivity: re-balancing the housing market and ensuring that complementary economic and social programmes connect with the regeneration of defined local commercial centres. Choice: promoting and providing a range of high quality and affordable housing choices that lead to the development of mixed communities.
Image: making the Urban Living area a safe, convenient and popular place to live, work and invest.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
Quality: transforming the quality of housing and neighbourhoods throughout the Urban Living area.
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cI was born in London and am now proud to call Hockley my home. I take a lot of musical inspiration from inner city areas but I live here for more than just research – I genuinely love the area.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
People here are so grounded and there’s a real sense of community spirit with weddings, barbeques and community events taking place on any day you can think of.
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I recently organised a get together under the Hockley Flyover and it was amazing how many people jumped at the chance to get involved – from break dancers to graffiti artists, the talent was just phenomenal. Inner city Birmingham is a real hot-bed of talent – it’s no wonder it’s produced so many great bands such as STEEL PULSE, Musical Youth and UB40. For me, right now, it’s the only place I’d chose to be.d Soweto Kinch, Mobo-Winning Jazz Artist.
foreword Against this challenging background, it is even more
skills and incomes of local people. What use are fine
important that Urban Living continues to deliver real
houses if local people cannot afford to live in them, or
value to the people of the area. We have worked hard
cannot afford to maintain them?
to use the money we receive from central government to make a real difference now and into the long term.
In a tough year, Urban Living has continued to get more effective. We are now considered to be ‘performing
We have worked with developers to ‘de-risk’ the land
well’; the most improved of all the housing market
where new homes are to be built, spending our money
renewal Pathfinders. This has been achieved with the
on the early site costs so that the private sector can get
support and commitment of our two partner Councils,
to work, more confident that they won’t make a loss.
Birmingham and Sandwell, as well as our key housing association partners and members of our Delivery Board,
We have reshaped our projects to make them more
which now includes two community representatives.
attractive and affordable, reducing the reliance on apartments, and trimming out unnecessary costs.
You may have heard more about our achievements this
We have also supported a range of initiatives designed
last year. This is not, I hope, because we are getting
to help people to afford the houses they need.
ideas above our station, but because we are doing a
It has not been an easy year this last one: not easy for
But we have done more than this. We have worked
are living in a tough time and we don’t have all the
the national economy; not easy for the Urban Living
with local people to find out how they see the future
answers - so please do let us, let me, know where
area; not good for people who wanted to move home
for their neighbourhoods; we have helped equip them
we are doing well, and how we could do better.
or to improve their standard of living.
with the skills needed to challenge the design and planning system if it does not serve them well; we
Moving forward, with a new and highly experienced
Just as our housing market was showing real signs
have demonstrated how homes can be made more
Chief Executive, Adnan Saif, at the helm, I expect us
of recovery, we were hit by the global credit crunch and
environmentally friendly and affordable at the same
to continue to improve and create a brighter and more
recession. It became extremely difficult for developers
time; and we have supported a wide range of activities
sustainable future for all those living and working in
to find the cash to build new houses, for people to find
to build on local people’s commitment and cohesion.
our Pathfinder area.
mortgages to buy new homes, and for anyone to buy
We are starting to get to grips with one of the most
or sell at all. Keeping a job – getting an income –
important areas of all: how we can use our spend, in
Peter Latchford
became significantly harder.
the time that we have left, to improve the enterprise,
Urban Living Chair
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
better job, with our partners, for local people. But we
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cI love working at Aston Hall, I can't believe that I drive up to this gorgeous building everyday and I work here!
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
Areas such as Aston have so much to offer and nowhere is this more evident than at Aston Hall which has just reopened after a ÂŁ12.5 million development. It looks amazing.
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To have such a one of its kind, Jacobean house in Birmingham is just fantastic, it's on the doorstep and it’s free for the public to visit.d Gurminder Kenth, Curator Manager, Aston Hall.
strategy & programme priorities Since the millennium, the Pathfinder’s housing market has moved to being a high demand area instead of a low demand one. It is forecast that over 8,000 new households will form or settle over the period to 2021. The bulk of this growth will be from lower income, larger Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) families.
Market context
housing across the Pathfinder. The number of long-term empty properties fell by 1,200 between 2006 and 2008 reflecting Urban Living interventions and the growing
The shift to market growth over this decade has already
level of local demand.
presented a new set of problems and issues, in many ways more serious than those of the previous period of housing market decline.
House prices have started to converge with the regional norm. Successive surveys show perceptions of the area are changing with increased resident confidence.
The Urban Living area is now ‘super-diverse’ with a large number of new communities including newcomers to the UK. Our latest residents’ survey found that a third were
However, the area still has a notably poor environment, with much of the existing stock in poor condition, some of which has needed to be demolished.
born outside the UK, and over 6% arrived in the last 5 years. The majority BME position of the Pathfinder is a fundamental feature that is shaping the market.
The underlying drivers are also being exacerbated by the current national downturn. The credit crunch drastically reduced mortgage lending, reflecting
We have examples of successful neighbourhood regeneration. Urban Living has improved or repaired nearly 9,400 properties, equivalent to over 15% of
stringent lending criteria and buyer uncertainty as prices fell compared with their peak in 2007. The new build market has been particularly affected. There are now the advent of recession is already leading to sharply rising unemployment. We face significant low-income household growth occurring in a fractured urban form. Land, labour and housing markets remain highly dysfunctional and unable to respond to market signals. Meanwhile our residents’ survey has found rising levels of overcrowding. This adds up to a clear need for sustained public intervention to address these issues.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
CEO Adnan Saif (left) and Chair Peter Latchford (centre) in discussion with Ian Austin MP, CLG Under Secretary of State.
tentative signs of recovery in the housing market but
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strategy & programme priorities continued
Strategic priorities
We additionally plan to:
sense of belonging and shared civic pride as well as •
We recognise that getting the right mix of housing including mixed tenure and affordable housing, ecodevelopment and wider place-making measures in light of the credit crunch is critical. In conjunction with our
• •
•
Develop creative ways of increasing access to affordable housing by those most acutely affected by the credit crunch.
•
•
Concentrate on developing skills and creating new jobs and training opportunities.
building social capital. Leadership capacity and local
communities, acknowledging that this will be a
empowerment is a strong positive driver of cohesion.
difficult task for as long as the effects of the credit
(See Achievements section, p21).
Enhance support for home ownership through
The programme
financial measures to assist local first time buyers. •
Work closely with our partners to ‘de-risk’ schemes and prepare sites in anticipation of market recovery.
Maximise new build on the basis of mixed income
crunch remain. •
partners, including the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), we have identified the immediate need to:
communication, have a key role to play in creating a
Selectively support a programme of new social
Having secured £17.8 million HCA funding for
housing and affordable housing provision.
2009/10 – subsequently boosted in July 2009 with
Link the investment programme to measures
an additional 10% funding – Urban Living will also
designed to sustain and promote jobs for
be significantly increasing its activity through the use
local people.
of capital receipts, and through influencing future
Rebalance the housing stock to larger family
public and private spending.
accommodation to address overcrowding. •
Carry through the commitment to clear the
Anticipated impacts
remaining obsolete and unpopular council stock.
10
Families from Smethwick enjoy a day out at the Big Lunch, supported by Urban Living.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
• •
Continue to work with partners to improve
Looking forward, and in the light of newly identified
standards in the private rented sector.
market drivers and strategic issues, our programme
Foster community cohesion with a specific
will aim to deliver:
emphasis on East Handsworth, Lozells and Newtown.
•
Significant housing growth, most of it in 2010/11 and beyond as the market recovers to provide in
Effective regeneration cannot happen without support
excess of 2,500 new homes. Urban Living has
from – and full engagement with – the people and
already taken positive action with partners in
communities involved. Our business plan identifies that cohesion and engagement is inextricably linked in
response to the credit crunch – see page 12. •
Clearance of the remaining pockets of obsolete
•
Stabilised levels of owner occupation, with a growth
our area. Community engagement in the development and delivery of proposals, together with effective
social housing stock.
A range of masterplanning and other planning exercises designed to provide an implementation
Background: The redevelopment of the Lyng is part of the wider regeneration of West Bromwich Town Centre. A state of the art health centre has already been built, along with 86 properties for rent and new shops. A new police station is also planned. The final part of the project will see 420 new homes built, with 200 available to rent, and a public square and open space created for the whole Lyng community.
framework to address housing market issues post 2011. Real progress towards mixed, balanced communities and meeting the need for family accommodation. •
A strong contribution towards meeting affordable housing needs.
•
An expanding stock of family accommodation and wider environmental benefits.
•
Physical housing initiatives closely supported by economic, social and community cohesion initiatives and underpinned by strong community
Windmill Eye Steering Group meeting.
engagement.
What difference have we made?: Our £1.1 million means a lot less risk for Barratt Homes who won’t need to take out major loans to finance the start of the development. It will also enable the public square to be created early on in the development, forming a community gateway to West Bromwich Town Centre and making the development more attractive to potential purchasers. Once a run-down area with anti-social behaviour and crime, the Lyng is now becoming a place where people choose to live and enjoy its community spirit.
New homes built in the Lyng phase 2, with design enhancements funded by Urban Living.
•
Our involvement: Although a development partner was selected in November 2007, the downturn of the housing market meant the project could not progress. Now our funding has made it possible for Sandwell Council and the Lyng Community Association to sign an agreement with Barratt Homes to complete the major facelift – and it’s all systems go!
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
•
Thanks to £1.1million funding from Urban Living, the regeneration of the Lyng Estate in West Bromwich is moving forward despite the recession. Artist’s impressions of the Lyng, phase 3.
case study: in shared ownership and intermediate rented housing.
Transforming the Lyng
11
These actions included:•
Acquiring land for larger future developments.
•
‘De-risking’ development sites for the Private Sector by remediating land, developing infra-structure and carrying out environmental improvements.
•
‘Gap funding’ a large-scale new build development.
•
Getting increased value for money by re-negotiating contracts with developers.
•
Re-phasing planned developments.
•
Adjusting developments to build more family homes rather than apartments.
•
Developing a range of financial products to assist first-time buyers and existing owners to move home.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
•
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Developing other tenure options to enable developments to progress including intermediate rent and ‘rent to homebuy’.
•
Investing in existing stock through environmental and external works to homes.
•
A focus on creating local employment and training opportunities.
Background: While the credit crunch has brought new development almost to a halt UK-wide, we’ve been trying to help get housing projects off the ground to meet the needs of local people. The flagship redevelopment project at the Crocodile Works in Newtown, Birmingham, will transform a large run-down, redundant industrial site, into a new high quality design housing development with 168 new homes due for completion in March 2011. Our involvement: In light of the current economic climate, we’ve worked directly with the housing association Midland Heart, developer William Davis and architects Glen Howells to completely revise the costs for the development without compromising on the design. We’ve invested over £7 million funding which has reduced the risks for the developer and has meant the project can go ahead. What difference have we made?: Old factory units have been acquired through our funding and work is well underway to create a vibrant community with a mix of homes. We’ve also ensured that there will be ‘rent to buy’ options on the homes. The scheme will help kick-start the rejuvenation of the Newtown area being led by Birmingham City Council with support from Urban Living. There are plans for further housing developments, a new secondary school and a new housing scheme for older people. Residents are at the heart of all these plans, contributing their thoughts and ideas to build a positive future.
Photo supplied by the HCA.
During the year the housing market experienced one of the severest downturns in living memory. In spite of this, Urban Living responded positively and undertook a number of actions to help address market conditions.
Work is getting snappy at the high profile Crocodile Works site in Newtown, Birmingham, with funding from Urban Living securing its future.
Ian Austin MP (second from right) on site with Matt Colby (William Davis), Steve Lilley (Urban Living), Tom Murtha (Midland Heart), Cllr John Lines (Birmingham City Council) and Paul Spooner (HCA).
Urban Living’s response to the credit crunch
case study:
strategy & programme priorities continued
Crocodile Works takes off
cLozells to me is home. Whenever I take young people away from Lozells on a residential or camping trip, whether it is in Scotland, Ireland, Spain or France they enjoy the scenery, they love the food and naturally are a little disappointed when they leave their holiday behind.
The reason I get involved with workshops and programmes that Urban Living facilitate or fund is because Lozells is the only place where I have a voice and my opinion is valued because I work in Lozells, live in Lozells and socialise in Lozells. Honestly speaking I am Lozells and Lozells is me.d Shale Ahmed, Bangladeshi Youth Forum (BYF) and participant in the Beyond Bricks project and the 2008 Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) Summer School.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
However, as soon as we arrive back onto the Lozells Road, everyone has this sense of security and feels a real sense of belonging because they have come home. Lozells for me is the only place in the world where I really feel like I fit in - everyone knows everyone neighbours, friends and relatives.
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urbanliving annual report 2008/09
cOne of the best things about inner city Birmingham is that it is culturally diverse. I both work and socialise here and there is so much on offer – not least to say the Jamaican chicken takeaway recently introduced to me by my friend! It’s great having the opportunity to try something new right on your doorstep and I feel there is a real sense of community spirit.
14
As an athlete, I see lots of kids from all cultures coming down to the track at Perry Barr to try their hand at sport. It’s really great seeing the next generation of Birmingham citizens gelling together and more importantly, really enjoying each other’s company. I’ll be going down to London for the 2012 Olympics but until then I definitely see this area as my home – and what a fantastic home it is.d Tom Parsons, Birchfield Harriers’ high jumper.
achievements 2008/09 In spite of the economic climate, once again this year saw substantial progress in key areas of activity with delivery of a £22m programme
With the Community Cohesion Strategy and Programme firmly in place, major strides have been made in this area of work with significant success being achieved on the ground.
key achievements
Of greater prominence this year has been the economic development programme, which has sought to maximise the job and training opportunities for residents arising from regeneration activities.
As an essential precursor to all major regeneration programmes, a number of masterplans have been produced, mainly in North West Birmingham. By consulting with residents, the following masterplans will help to map out the physical, economic, cultural and social contexts and provide options for future development:
Masterplanning
and confirmation of £17m funding allocation
Urban Living achieved all and surpassed three out of five main targets set on its ambitious physical programme which has focused on masterplanning, the removal of unpopular housing, the acquisition of land and buildings for future redevelopment, wide ranging refurbishments to older properties and environmental improvements to
Finally, a renewed campaign to raise awareness of Urban Living activities also paid off, resulting in the organisation and its partners having been recognised externally by stakeholders, the media and others. This includes the Audit Commission who has judged the organisation to be ‘performing well’ and to be the most improved Pathfinder over the last 12 months.
South Aston Partners: Aston Pride and Birmingham City Council Newtown Partners: Birmingham City Council These masterplans have been completed with further resident consultation taking place to agree how the areas will be regenerated.
All this activity has forged the way for ongoing regeneration in the areas within the Pathfinder that need the most investment and which will result in the greatest benefit to local residents.
Newtown masterplan event in progress.
neighbourhoods.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
for the period to 2010.
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case study:
Armchair planners! In what’s believed to be a UK first, Urban Living is enabling residents living in the South Lozells area of Birmingham to view the latest planning applications from the comfort of their own homes.
achievements 2008/09 continued
Background: Residents have always had to traipse down to their local town hall or library to have their say on proposed planning applications. For many, this has been inconvenient or simply not possible, while others have found the meetings hard to understand. Now the process is being brought bang up to date through a pioneering project which means residents can influence plans 24 hours a day without leaving their homes.
Lozells Partners: Midland Heart Housing Association and Birmingham City Council
Our involvement: We’ve been working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, Axis Design Architects and Slider Studios to develop a clever new piece of software called ‘YouCanPlan Lozells’. Thought to be the first of its kind in the UK, the software tool is a high-tech 3D package which lets residents access an interactive visualisation of proposed neighbourhood plans on their computer.
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Western Growth Corridor Straddling Sandwell and Birmingham, the Western Growth Corridor is a spatial concept that is being explored to accommodate future housing growth in an area of around 9 km2 at the centre of the Pathfinder area. A Spatial Strategy has been completed along with a number of supporting studies, including an extensive Heritage Assessment, an employment and premises
A run-down industrial site typical of the rust belt covered by the Western Growth Corridor.
Visit www.vision-lozells.org
Residents attend the Lozells Neighbourhood Forum to hear about the latest plans.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
A total of 2,200 free software CDs have been distributed to residents and community venues across South Lozells and people are busy becoming armchair planners and having a real say on their neighbourhood.
Vision Lozells 3D modelling web site screen grab.
What difference have we made?: As well as seeing aerial views, residents can take virtual tours at street level and even hop on a virtual bus tour! Plus, they can chat online with key project members and share their views about how the developments might affect their neighbourhood. Everyone is asked to complete an online questionnaire and their feedback is used to influence what actually goes ahead.
The North Lozells masterplan and South Lozells Neighbourhood Plan have been combined into a single masterplan for the area. A 3D Model has also been developed to provide an online consultation tool for residents (see case study left).
Aerial view of the North Smethwick canalside area, including (bottom right) Brindley Village I.
A major focus of this year’s programme has been the continued acquisition and clearance of land and major sites to enable future regeneration. A total of 58 sites were purchased and 3.10 hectares of land acquired
Hussars Pub, Smethwick – site acquired in advance of the anticipated start of the Windmill Eye masterplan, adding value to the overall development potential of the adjacent site formerly occupied by the Windmill shopping precinct.
Greets Green – the clearance and site assembly at Edith/Chapman street has been completed, with site investigations and remediation work underway to prepare the site for new development.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
Acquisition and clearance
Brindley Village II site in North Smethwick – a further 13 industrial sites have been acquired to prepare for the development over the next four years of 196 canal side homes. Urban Living is working in partnership with the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), PXP and Sandwell Council.
The Hussars Pub, Windmill Eye area of Smethwick.
The concept is being taken forward in 2009 through a project entitled ‘Creating a Sense of Place’. This is a major research project being undertaken with local residents and businesses, together with regional partners, to develop a realistic approach to planning for housing growth linked to local identity and economic development.
(enough to build around 160 homes) bringing the total number of sites acquired since 2004 to 1,666. This includes a number of key locations:
Clearance in the Greets Green area.
study, a contamination land study, a canal study and a green space audit.
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Eastern Gateway – two further acquisitions have been made at this significant gateway site to West Bromwich Town Centre adding to the sites assembled so far. It is envisaged that this site will be transformed into a 160 home mixed use development that will complement the regeneration of West Bromwich Town Centre being led by Sandwell MBC. Lozells – The assembly of sites for redevelopment has continued through the acquisition of some of the most unpopular properties bringing the total acquired to date to 37 homes.
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Demolition of 60s built properties in Newtown.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
North Newtown – The acquisition and demolition of obsolete 60’s houses has continued, resulting in substantial parts of the area being cleared ready for re-development, subject to community consultation.
Artist’s impression of new homes to be built in phase 3 of the Lyng estate regeneration in West Bromwich.
achievements 2008/09 continued
New developments The onset of a difficult economic climate in the last 12 months has clearly had an effect on the overall regeneration programme and in particular the programme to build new homes. Urban Living has shown leadership and responded flexibly, working with partners to create solutions to mitigate the worst effects of the credit crunch. Two examples of actions taken illustrate how Urban Living has enabled major developments to go on site, as planned. The Lyng Estate, West Bromwich Having supported the regeneration of the Lyng estate in various ways since 2004, Urban Living has worked
with Sandwell MBC and the Lyng Community Association (LCA) to secure the development of the third phase and enable 420 new homes to be built over the next 10 years. It did this by providing over £1 million funding for the early infrastructure and public areas, including proposals for a new public square. This effectively unlocked the site and helped the preferred developer – Barratts – to make an early start on site. (See Transforming the Lyng case study on p11). Crocodile Works scheme, Newtown, Birmingham To date Urban Living has invested over £3.5 million to acquire land covering 1.5 hectares on the former Crocodile Works site with a further £3.6 million committed to take the scheme forward into 2009/10. Working in partnership with Midland Heart and the Homes & Communities Agency, the site has been completely
Artist’s impression of new homes on the future Crocodile Works site.
poverty. Extensive environmental advice was provided by a newly appointed Green Doctor. The eco-retrofit model was also applied to a refurbishment scheme in Smethwick in partnership with Sandwell MBC, which saw 34 properties benefit from recycling methods and improved energy efficiency. Measures included the installation of solar water heating panels, central heating and loft and cavity wall insulation.
Urban Living once again exceeded its refurbishment
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
Refurbished homes
This year also saw the fate of the three Birchfield towers – prominently placed on the A34 gateway into Birmingham – resolved, with a decision made to now
Birchfield towers.
In response to the changed economic climate, Urban Living worked directly with Midland Heart, the developer William Davis and Glen Howells Architects to completely revise costs and the overall financial model in order to make possible the development of this £24 million flagship scheme. This included revising the tenure mix from open market sales to the use of ‘rent to homebuy’ options. (See Crocodile Works takes off case study on p12).
target during the year by improving 487 properties. The award-winning Summerfield eco-scheme (see Neighbourhoods go Green case study on p20) was rolled out to South Lozells where, in partnership with Family Housing Association, 26 solar panels were installed to owner occupied properties to address fuel Internal view of a de-converted property in Radnor Road, Handsworth.
cleared and a start made on the development of 168 new homes, helping kick-start the wider regeneration of Newtown being led by Birmingham City Council.
Seven empty Victorian properties in Handsworth purchased last year by Urban Living have been completely refurbished and are being brought back into use through sales on the open market. These have been made available to the local community first.
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case study:
Neighbourhoods go green Funding from Urban Living has seen a multi-million pound programme transform the Summerfield area of Birmingham into an award-winning eco neighbourhood which other areas aspire to.
achievements 2008/09 continued Background: Once a desirable area, Summerfield declined after suffering with crime and antisocial behaviour. Its large Victorian houses were not energy efficient and residents were worried about rising fuel bills. In response, the Summerfield eco neighbourhood project was developed and has become the largest scheme of its kind in the UK and the first in Birmingham.
demolish rather than refurbish the blocks in order to make way for future re-development.
Our involvement: We joined forces with Family Housing Association and Birmingham City Council to create a £2.3 million programme which was launched in 2005. Since then, solar panels and low-energy heating have been installed at 329 homes, smart meters to measure efficiency have been fitted in 50 homes, an Eco show home has been created and five other Victorian houses have been turned into eco homes with green technologies including 100% recycled kitchens, air source heat pumps and sun pipes. Green Doctor Martin Clarke provides energy-saving advice.
Improved environment The programme to improve the environment has again focussed on enhancing streetscapes and external features (such as boundary walls and fencing). The aim of this work is to improve the look of the street, lift the image of areas and instil resident pride in neighbourhoods in anticipation of longer-term regeneration taking place.
More than 1,700 visitors have toured the area with many visiting our ‘eco office’ which demonstrates best practice. Eco packs of energy efficiency information have been distributed to over 500 households. An ‘eco’ website and radio station have also been developed with local schools.
Activities were undertaken to enhance streetscapes in the ‘canal side area’ adjacent to the Summerfield eco village. In addition, in response to resident complaints about anti-social behaviour, a number of actions were taken to improve the security in the Malthouse Gardens area of Lozells, Birmingham.
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The project won the public sector category in the 2008 National Energy Efficiency Awards and, more recently, it won the West Midlands NHF What we are Proud Of Award and has been shortlisted for the Community Involvement/ Engagement title at The Sustainable Housing Awards 2009. Its huge success has led to similar schemes being rolled out in Lozells and Smethwick. Trainee work placements for 20 unemployed residents were created through the Summerfield project, while our funding has created four paid job placements through the South Lozells eco scheme. Summerfield is now a model of ‘best practice’ and residents are proud to live there.
New railings in the Malthouse Gardens area of Lozells are helping reduce anti-social behaviour.
The Khennaoui family moved into a newly refurbished eco home in the Summerfield area.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
What difference have we made?:
Participants of Kickz get stuck in.
Community cohesion and engagement One of the key features of the Urban Living area is that it is has a high concentration of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups – currently 70% of the population. The diversity of the population has increased further with the arrival of a significant number of Eastern Europeans. For this reason, community cohesion and engagement is at the heart of Urban Living’s programme with delivery partners having to consider and state their approach to community engagement and cohesion from the outset. All projects are assessed for their potential impact on community cohesion.
West Bromwich Albion Sports Scheme – a 3 year programme looking to encourage 13-19 year olds to engage in local sporting activities and join sports clubs.
Adopted this year, Urban Living’s first widely consulted Community Cohesion Strategy and Action Plan identifies five strategic themes / objectives: • Supporting Young People. • Creating a Sense of Belonging. • Meaningful Interaction. • Improving Access to Opportunities. • Engagement, Communication, Empowerment and Leadership.
Creating a Sense of Belonging Square Mile – This project was developed by internationally acclaimed Visiting Arts and delivered by a consortium partnership between Hybrid, Ulfah Arts and Wildlife Trust. It asks local people to track their local square mile to take account of cultural diversity, biodiversity and aesthetic diversity and changes over a period of time (www.square-mile.net).
All community cohesion projects developed, commissioned and funded have to meet one or more of the five objectives. In all, 38 community cohesion projects were supported, a selection of which includes:
Meaningful Interaction Beyond Bricks – Initiated through a partnership with Arts Council West Midlands, this highly successful temporary arts programme focussed on Lozells and East Handsworth, giving local residents and artists the opportunity to explore the area’s sense of place and identity. A total of 9 projects were commissioned as part of this programme (www.beyondbricks.net). See Community pride goes Beyond Bricks case study on p22.
Supporting Young People Kickz – Working in partnership with Aston Villa FC and
Changing Rooms – Through this project (based on the BBC’s ‘Changing Rooms’), Urban Living enabled
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
The Somali community enjoy an awareness raising event with support from the Urban Living Community Chest.
the Football Foundation, Urban Living has supported the extension to Lozells of Kickz - a nationally recognised sports scheme initiated by the London Metropolitan Police and Premier League football clubs.
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Through an innovative arts programme, Urban Living has helped residents to open their eyes to the potential of their area and to make them feel proud of what can be achieved.
Our involvement: We provided £100,000 funding with Arts Council England, and local community arts organisation, Multistory, delivered the programme. It was made up of nine individual arts projects which brought residents together with artists to celebrate the culture and pride of their local community, its heritage and its future, while contributing to the changes happening in the area.
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United Colours of Benny’s Town – the title of the Beyond Bricks scheme which saw the doors of over 50 homes get a new lick of paint.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
What difference have we made?: Over 600 locals enjoyed creating films and documentaries, making music and painting the public places around them to make them more colourful. One particularly inspiring project helped local mothers to save more families from suffering the effects of the guns, gangs and knife culture. Mothers in Pain brings together mothers who’ve been affected by guns and knives. Through Beyond Bricks, the organisation created a new DVD of real life stories with Birmingham based Geese Theatre. The DVD is now being used in schools and youth clubs to try to stop young people getting involved in gangs and crime and causing so much suffering.
Changing Rooms - young decorators from different organisations revamp a community space.
Background: Increasing community identity, pride and vitality is one of our key areas of focus, and the arts are a great way to bring people of all backgrounds together. The Beyond Bricks programme encouraged locals of all ages living in Lozells and East Handsworth in Birmingham to really get creative.
achievements 2008/09 continued
Sound it Out workshop in progress.
case study:
Community pride goes Beyond Bricks
young people from three community organisations to work with each other to refurbish one room in each other’s respective organisation’s building. Improving Access to Opportunities Architecture for Everyone – This project was developed and delivered by the Stephen Lawrence Trust. The project delivered a number of workshops nationally to attract young BME people into architecture. One participant from the Birmingham workshop has since had the opportunity to attend a six week placement at Harvard University, USA (www.architectureforeveryone.org.uk). Engagement, Empowerment, Communication and Leadership Leadership Programme – Urban Living is keen to ensure that local people are afforded every opportunity
*Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.
Research Urban Living regularly reviews and updates its research programme to ensure the Pathfinder’s policy, strategy and programme are responsive to the needs of residents, as well as to changes in the housing market and the external environment.
An extensive survey of 2,500 households from across the area was also undertaken, along with a survey of residents’ motivations for purchasing new build properties and one on barriers to employment and training. Research is shared with partners to enable them to develop their own policies, strategies and programmes.
Employment and skills training scheme This year it was particularly important to respond appropriately to the significant economic changes and Urban Living commissioned research to better understand how the housing market was responding to the impacts of the credit crunch. This included surveys with Estate Agents, Housing Developers and Private Rented Sector Landlords.
Over the last twelve months Urban Living has continued to work with its partners to help create local employment and training opportunities. The overriding aim has been to maximise the economic impact of regeneration activities taking place in the Pathfinder area through Urban Living’s programme. This
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
Community Chest – Urban Living is keen to support third sector organisations with innovative and effective community cohesion ideas. This year we funded 14 wide-ranging grassroots projects, including upgrading emerging community organisations’ IT equipment; youth intervention projects; celebrating the Bangladeshi Communities Heritage project and exploring the Somalian community’s cultural vibrancy.
Joint Landlord Forum.
Resident design course in progress.
CABE Summer School participants (from left) Annette Robinson, Carlton Youngsam and Shale Ahmed.
to engage effectively in the local housing development plans and masterplans. Hence, we have funded local residents to attend the CABE* Summer School, provided a Birmingham City University-run design course for residents and funded the Lozells Neighbourhood Management Forum.
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case study:
A new direction in life Local people have been stepping out on a new career path following the creation of new job opportunities by Urban Living’s partners. Background: We’re always looking for ways to increase the job prospects for local residents. This is why we funded four new positions which arose from Urban Living supported schemes being delivered by Family Housing Association. New recruits:
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Martin Clarke is better known to local families as the Green Doctor (see case study p20). He visits families to help them save energy and money by making their homes – and themselves – more energy efficient. Martin used to be a musician and DJ but completed the City & Guilds 6176 Energy Advice course to qualify for this new position. Now he’s really got into learning more about green energy and spreading his knowledge around South Lozells. Negus Downer has helped to create a real buzz about solar panels in Lozells. As part of the Lozells Eco-programme, Resident Liaison Officer Negus has been publicising the eco programme in the area and helping people get panels installed. He previously worked in construction but wanted to learn a new career and increase his skills. And his work has proved so successful that people are now queuing up for solar panels.
New jobs for (from left) Negus Downer, Selina Ellis and Lavinia Matthews.
Trainee Delano Hall learns to plaster.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
is being done to ensure that as many residents as possible benefit from the jobs created. Key activities included: • Identifying over 320 full time job opportunities in construction and associated trades and services through our regeneration programme. • Creating 224 apprenticeship places and 600 educational opportunities for the under 16s. • Engaging with 120 companies and providing business support. • Creating 10 courses. • Extending the Black Country Loans Fund (BCLF) to cover the whole Pathfinder area resulting in two businesses being supported through a loan. • Setting up a local employment portal www.finditinurbanliving.org.uk to enable companies in the Pathfinder area to access tender opportunities that arise.
Lavinia Matthews and Selina Ellis have been busy enabling residents to kick start their home improvements. They were taken on as Outreach Workers for the Kickstart Loans project which offers affordable loans to homeowners. Residents can then make renovations and add value to their properties. Lavinia and Selina have raised awareness of the scheme throughout the community and, in the process, have raised their own self confidence.
What difference have we made?: As a result of the new jobs, local residents are taking advantage of energy saving advice, free solar panels and an opportunity to make home improvements. And the four residents who’ve taken up the new positions have been trained in new careers and are enjoying a whole new direction in life.
performance Progress to date The figures below show that since the Urban Living programme started:
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Performance 2008/09
We successfully achieved all agreed targets this year, exceeding in four out of five. Revised HCA*
Actual 2008/09
197
487
290
Properties acquired for Pathfinder purposes:
58
58
0
Commercial properties acquired:
4
12
8
Hectares of land acquired
3
3.1
0.1
220
334
114
Measure
Variance
obsolete properties have been demolished
1,666
Homes refurbished, repaired or otherwise improved:
homes have been acquired to facilitate redevelopment
197 homes have been built
9,392 homes have been refurbished or repaired
10,879
Properties and homes demolished
* Since December 2008 targets have been agreed with the newly set up Homes and Communities Agency (HCA)
environmental works
15,703 homes have been subject to additional management measures
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
homes have been subject to
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urbanliving annual annualreport report2008/09 2008/09 urbanliving
cWe enjoy working with women in the community - especially through our 'Out & About' project because they are motivated by a shared vision of working together for a lifestyle of healthy living and wellbeing, for a better future.
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We engage with, teach, and encourage women to grow their own organic fruit and vegetables. Through keep-fit sessions and positive creative process of gardening, the project also offers the women a unique social setting for community and social cohesion. They have the opportunity to socialise, learn from each other and form new friendships with people from different ethnic backgrounds. We now plan to turn the project into a co-operative - a social enterprise to enable the women to generate income and even create employment opportunities in their community.d Elizabeth Etti (left) from the Community Enterprise and Training Academy (CETA), Aston, with one of the CETA participants and her children.
The economic climate meant that it became increasingly challenging to deliver a housing-based regeneration programme and, in the final quarter, the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) agreed that Urban Living be allowed to ‘roll forward’ £2.5 million funding and for this to be available in 2009/10. The output targets were accordingly revised to reflect roll forward of funds and the economic impact on the programme. As well as Urban Living, a number of other organisations have invested significantly in the area (see Match & Complementary Funding 2008/09, right).
2008/09
Project Expenditure
£19,764,661
Employee Costs
£1,396,363
Premises Costs
£99,115
SLA’s/LA support
£562,029
Running Costs
£637,832
Total
£22,460,000
2008/09
Urban Living Sandwell MBC Area Birmingham City Council Area
£22,460,000 £1,655,000 £405,000
English Partnerships*
£2,000,000
Homes & Communities Agency*
£2,750,000
Private Development*
£22,000,000
RSL*
£2,250,000
Other Public Sector*
£3,000,000 £56,520,000
*Figures estimated and currently being verified.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
As identified earlier in this report, the 2008/09 financial year experienced tremendous economic change characterised by a credit crunch which saw house prices falling whilst mortgages became increasingly more difficult to obtain.
Match & Complementary Funding 2008/09
The Government funds Urban Living to deliver a programme of housing-based regeneration in the Birmingham and Sandwell Pathfinder area, with the aim of achieving a range of pre-determined output targets.
Expenditure 2008/09
financial overview
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Analysis of spend 2008/09
financial overview continued
Project / Element
Greets Green Lyng
Project Spend by Intervention 2008/09
£55,000 £1,785,118
Smethwick
£4,456,283
Canalside Soho
£924,433 £55,807
Newtown
£2,413,843
Lozells
£1,437,276
Birchfield
£502,115
Masterplanning
£616,186
Community Cohesion
£315,014
Research
£191,030
Training & Employment
£190,784
Infrastructure Costs
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
£6,821,771
Eastern Gateway
Project Support
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2008/09 spend
£429,868 £2,265,471
Total Programme Value
£22,460,000
Site Assembly
£14,514,243
Site Development Improvement to Houses Masterplanning Supporting Communities
£893,943 £2,837,307 £616,186 £47,938
Community Cohesion & Engagement
£473,230
Research
£191,030
Training & Employment
£190,784
Infrastructure Costs Project Support Total
£2,265,471 £429,868 £22,460,000
My personal struggles have given me the ambition to succeed and a desire to help motivate those around me. By building community spirit within inner city areas, we can empower people to want to get involved in projects that make a difference.d Joel Graham-Blake, Managing Director of Cultiv8 Solutions.
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
cFrom living in a bedsit in Aston, council flats in Lea Bank and working for many years in Newtown, I have first hand experience of growing up in a deprived area.
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delivery board members Peter Latchford
Andrew James
Chair
Partnership Manager, Advantage WM
Councillor John Lines
Dale Guest
Cabinet Member for Housing, Birmingham City Council
Acting Executive Director, Aston Pride New Deal for Communities
Councillor Simon Hackett
Jean Templeton
Cabinet Advisor for Housing, Sandwell MBC
Birmingham City Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) representative & Chief Executive, St Basil’s
Elaine Elkington Acting Strategic Director of Housing and Constituencies, Birmingham City Council
Sandra Spence
Lynda Bateman
Sandwell Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) representative & Chief Executive, Black Country Housing Association
Interim Executive Director, Urban Regeneration, Sandwell MBC
Laurice Ponting Christine Seaton
If you require any assistance in understanding the information please ask a friend or a relative who can speak English to call us on 0121 565 6540. Bengali
Gujarati
Punjabi
Arabic
Chief Executive, Mercian Housing
Team Leader, Homes & Communities Agency (HCA)
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
Urdu
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David Rhead Team Leader, Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) Somali
Hadddii aad u baahantahay in lagaa kaalmeyo sidii aad u fahmto macluumaadka ku yaala qoraalkan akhbaarta, weydii saaxiib ama qaraabo, ku hadla afka ingriiska, inuu naga soo waco taleefan lambarka; 0121 565 6540.
cOne of the best qualities about inner city Birmingham is that it is culturally rich. “Areas such as Handsworth have always been melting pots and this is a really positive quality. Since the 1960’s people from areas as diverse as the Caribbean; Asia and more recently Eastern Europe and Africa have all come together to call areas such as Handsworth ‘home’.
“I thoroughly enjoy living and working in Birmingham and my heart will always be in Handsworth which I love with all its changes. This is and always will be where my passion lies.d Dr Vanley Burke, Documentary Photographer. In 2008 Urban Living commissioned Vanley Burke to document life in the Pathfinder area. A selection of his images can be seen on the Urban Living web site at www.urbanliving.org.uk
urbanliving annual report 2008/09
“The high streets are awash with the colour of food and clothes stores selling wares from the four corners of the earth – where else can you find such variety? I love the fact people from diverse communities meet and mingle together to share a chat on the street- or maybe even some food.
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Front cover image:
cI see myself as a true ‘Brummie’ and I’m proud to be associated with such a vibrant, culturally diverse area. Wherever I go in inner city Birmingham, I find there’s a real sense of community and it’s great to see people from so many different backgrounds interacting positively. Education is a vital part of this and that’s why it’s so important for organisations like Urban Living to continue supporting projects that unite communities. By teaching young people to respect themselves, we encourage them to respect the areas they are growing up in, creating a better world for all of us.d N9NE, breakdancer and founder of Broken Silence –
4th Floor, Hawthorns House, Halfords Lane, Smethwick B66 1BB T: 0121 565 6540 F: 0121 555 8364 E: info@urbanliving.org.uk W: www.urbanliving.org.uk
Published: August 2009
a community youth group which uses dance to teach young people essential life skills.