Project Case Studies
Housing Estates Improvement Programme
Partners:
- Groundwork West London
- Hammersmith & Fulham Housing Management Services (HMS)
- local Crime Prevention Officer
- local Federation of Tenants & Residents Associations (HAFFTRA)
- Hammersmith & Fulham Gazette
Summary
Over the last 9 years Groundwork West London have delivered 84 projects under their Housing Estates Improvement Programme (HEIP) that operates in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF). Spending over £1.35million on capital improvements to housing estates, Groundwork has worked with residents to achieve various environmental improvements including landscape improvements, installing play equipment and improving access and security. These projects have also delivered real benefits to the residents in terms of community cohesion, by addressing anti-social behaviour and conflict, and in terms of strengthening the Tenants and Residents groups that have been supported throughout the scheme.Description
The Housing Estates Improvement Programme (HEIP) began as what was known as the 'Capital Receipts Initiative' in 1998. The idea was born from discussions with Hammersmith & Fulham Council's (LBHF) Housing Strategy and Regeneration Department who were looking into how residents could be engaged in environmental regeneration of their housing estates and sheltered housing units. The aim was to have a resident led process, which could deliver physical improvements quickly and efficiently with a high degree of community participation. The developments consisted of environmental, play or security improvements, had to be sustainable and help build or strengthen communities so that issues such as fear of crime and health & well-being could be addressed.The HEIP is funded and delivered in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham Housing Management Services (HMS), the Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO). It is run as an annual grant programme in which Tenants and Residents Association's are invited to apply for funding to improve their housing estates and sheltered housing units. The grants panel are made up of project partners and successful applicants are fully engaged in the project from idea right the way through to completion. The HEIP is managed and delivered by Groundwork West London, who lead on the application and approval process, the consultation element, the design elements and the implementation of improvements and negotiations with maintenance contractors. Residents help organise a launch event where evaluation can take place and the local press (also a project partner) can cover the story.
The HEIP is in its ninth year in Hammersmith & Fulham and it is envisaged that it will be continued for years to come whilst there is clearly a need and interest from local residents, and the scheme is managed and promoted effectively. Groundwork West London is trying to replicate a similar scheme in the London Borough of Ealing and proposals are currently with the Area Boards of Ealing Homes following interest from their Chief Executive.
The scheme is successful because the improvement projects are led and owned by the residents from the outset. The residents not only benefit from the improvements but also from meeting and engaging with one-another to get things done.
Groundwork West London, in some instances, have also secured additional funding to projects through fundraising from charitable trusts and businesses to add value to the programme. This has included funding for a community gardener to continue working with residents to maintain the improvements.
Process
The HEIP in LBHF follows five simple steps. The scheme encourages and enables resident participation throughout the process through working directly with Groundwork West London staff in the development and delivery of the individual projects.Step 1 Publicity of scheme and application process
The scheme is advertised and TRA's are notified of their eligibility and encouraged to apply. The application is sent out with very clear guidelines and examples of previous projects. They are invited to speak to Groundwork about possible ideas or projects that can be implemented. Groundwork West London can provide assistance with design ideas and advice, completion of the application form, and in engaging other residents to gain consensus of support for the application.
Step 2 Assessment of applications
Groundwork West London assesses applications for eligibility and feasibility. This includes site visits, meetings with Crime Prevention Officers and Maintenance Officers.
Step 3 Grans panel
The Grants panel meet to review the applications. The panel is made up of project partners and Groundwork acting in an advisory role. Applications are reviewed against estimated costings for capital improvements and fee elements. Projects are selected and successful applicants notified. Unsuccessful applicants are given feedback or in some cases fees are provided to help develop more feasible project ideas with TRAs, in order for them to apply in the next HEIP round.
Step 4 Implementation of Projects
Groundwork West London works with residents to organise initial consultation events to look at options and possible designs. All residents are encouraged to attend so events are tailored to attract as many beneficiaries as possible to ensure the viewpoint of all is received. Design drawings and specifications are drawn up followed by a final consultation phase. Contracts are tendered and an appropriate contractor selected. The Groundwork West London Green Team is also invited to tender for the project. Groundwork West London project manages through to completion on site. When appropriate, residents or volunteers might be engaged in assisting with some of the physical improvements.
Step 5 Launch event, evaluation and exit strategy
Projects are launched with a celebratory event attended by residents. Evaluation on the outcome and the process is also encouraged from residents. Groundwork West London's Community Gardener can become involved to help arrange 'gardening clubs'. We are also negotiating with HMS for the Groundwork West London Green Team to look after the first year of maintenance before formal handover back to HMS.
Evaluation
EvaluationWhilst individual projects undergo evaluation on completion of the schemes, the entire programme was evaluated in detail when in its 6th year.
The process of evaluation began in mid 2004 by visiting a selected number of previous projects to see how they looked and to get feedback from residents as to how the improvements had changed the area, if at all. All tenants and residents associations and sheltered housing units were given the opportunity to have their input via a written or telephone questionnaire. Current members of the Grants Panel were also questioned to assess the whole process.
Grants Panel
The programme received very favourable responses that indicate it provides real benefits to residents and is value for money. The Grants Panel felt that there should be some adjustments to the process to keep them informed throughout the year but that it was a good example of several organisations coming together to solve problems and make lasting improvements.
Brenda McLean from the Hammersmith Central Area Housing Forum Resident Representative commented: ‘It is particularly important that Groundwork's expertise is there to be used to advise the panel on the applications and to advise residents if their ideas are feasible or not. Resident's don't often know what is possible'
Les Pilbro, Fulham Central Area Housing Forum Resident Representative also commented: 'It is really important to have residents involved in their own community and get them looking after their own estates. To have a coordinating organisation like Groundwork is so important as it's hard for estates to make things happen on their own'
Maintenance
The issues surrounding the successful long-term maintenance of improved sites has always been a challenge and this came up in the evaluation on several occasions. Though maintenance during the first year is included in the contract the handover to residents and Housing Management Services has not always been successful. Maintenance is important issue as Adrian Simmons, the Crime Prevention Design Advisor says: 'Improvements which fall into disrepair or become vandalised spoil the appearance of an area and reduce local morale as people face the dereliction in the course of their daily lives. People often see damaged or neglected areas as evidence of perceived local problems. Well planned, wanted improvements are more likely to be looked after.'
Groundwork's Community Gardener works with residents to give them skills & advice to help them set up gardening clubs and give them the confidence to take on small areas of plant maintenance. With additional funding Groundwork hopes to provide this support on a more regular basis. Closer working with the project partners who will maintain the site in the longer-term has improved and now there are formal processes in advance of agreeing projects.
The Process
Groundwork asked residents & panel to comment on the process. There were mixed responses regarding the application pack & forms. Some residents found it very easy to fill in the applications were as others found it a daunting process. Groundwork helps applicants during this process by visiting sites or on the phone. Many residents have found this very helpful but it has been important to emphasise the process and that the Grants Panel make the final decision so expectations are not raised. Groundwork is also careful not to overly influence applications by providing objective professional advice and expertise.
The yearly programme has many positive aspects as it is very quick and residents can see results in a very short space of time. However this causes problems, as it is often difficult to do a completely comprehensive resident participation or consultation process within the timescale. It often leaves little time to make sure everyone is involved and had a chance to comment.
Consultation
Everyone interviewed agreed that good consultation is important as Yvonne Say of HAFFTRA comments: 'It is crucial that residents are consulted as they live there and they know what their specific issues are. It gives them ownership of the project and the programme itself gives them opportunity to benefit their own estates. Consultation also means they know what's going on. Councils always try and consult their residents as it make people happier all round.'
Groundwork makes every attempt to ensure everyone has had an opportunity to be involved so that they can choose to participate or not as the case may be. Groundwork designs consultations to make the process 'accessible' by consulting residents where they live, providing visual, verbal & written information and having staff available that are friendly, helpful and approachable. This encourages residents to make contact and be aware of what is going on. As Angela Davis, TRA representative for Charcroft Court comments: 'The project was discussed at TRA meetings. Groundwork helped with flyers and posters, which we put up and everyone was leafleted. The Groundwork event with the marquee was particularly successful as people saw it and came out to find out what was going on. Residents gave a lot of feedback, which was more that I expected.'
Groundwork is very aware of social exclusion and the barriers, which prevent people from participating and attempt to reach people beyond these barriers. Groundwork also has to take a balanced approach to consultation results, as it is often the very vocal few who appear to be 'heard'. Groundwork has built up a great deal of local knowledge and experience within Hammersmith and Fulham. This is combined with professional expertise to provide the most appropriate solution that reflects the issues raised by residents.
After the Project
Generally most people thought that the projects delivered what residents needed and achieve their aims. In a few cases there was concern about the sustainability, practicality and longevity of the projects. The benefit of having a rolling programme, such as this, is that it allows Groundwork and Housing Management Services to monitor the projects and provide support and advice once the projects are complete. As part of the process not everyone will get what they want but there it is a process of negotiation, understanding, information sharing and consensus making.
Resources
Groundwork West London: www.gwk-wl.org.uk/