Press Release
DECENT HOMES DECENT SPACESA new report funded in part by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) is published this week, looking at what can be done to provide better green spaces for social housing.
The Decent Homes Decent Spaces report campaigns for the improvement of green spaces in and around social housing. Published by Peabody Trust and Notting Hill Housing Group and funded by CABE Space, English Nature, and the ODPM, it highlights the issues involved in the design, management and use of green spaces for social landlords. The report also provides detailed case studies as examples of good practice enabling social landlords to improve their effectiveness in these areas.
The green spaces in and around social housing are, with some notable exceptions, generally some of the worst of our urban landscapes. They are often a reflection of the impact of social exclusion; that the poorest people live in the most damaged and damaging environments. Decent Homes Decent Spaces outlines the policy areas that must be addressed to enable green spaces to be better planned and better funded; and identifies some of the key drivers that can provide the basis for enhancing the quality of these spaces to benefit the local community.
The report introduces an ODPM-funded project, Neighbourhoods Green, which will:
- Evaluate the status and profile of green spaces within social housing providers in London;
- Provide training and guidance to aid social housing providers and residents in the design, management and safe use of their green spaces;
- Establish and support a network of green space champions within the social housing sector; and
- Advocate for appropriate policies, incentives and resources to enhance green space quality under social housing providers.
Jon Rouse, Chief Executive of the Housing Corporation, has commented: "Housing associations increasingly are the owners of significant amounts of public space often in areas where public space is in very low supply. It is a precious asset, therefore, and it is vital to make the most of it if we are to create and maintain sustainable communities.
"The Housing Corporation recognises the importance of green space in its Housing Quality Indicators and Ecohomes ratings, and we warmly welcome the Neighbourhoods Green initiative as a beacon of good practice in this area."
Stephen Howlett, Chief Executive of Peabody Trust, endorsing the report, says: "Delivering Decent Homes means we should also be providing a quality external environment to our properties. Our residents value the trees and gardens of our estates, and appreciate the contact with the natural world that this provides. I believe that Neighbourhoods Green provides an excellent opportunity for the Trust to further improve our green spaces, and we will work with others to raise the sector's game."
Kate Davies, Chief Executive of Notting Hill Housing Group sees an important role for housing associations. "Our customers rate their beautiful homes in decent neighbourhoods. But neglected public space vandalism, graffiti and litter still mark out social housing. We are working with residents, local authorities, government and volunteers to keep the public areas safe and attractive, creating places to play, relax and wander in."
Sarah Harrison, one of the report's editors, now with PRP Architects, "Housing associations are doing some great work on some of their green spaces. But much of this is uncoordinated, and not adequately resourced to secure long-term environmental benefits for residents. We hope Decent Homes Decent Spaces adds value to this work, and starts to significantly improve this throughout the sector through Neighbourhoods Green."
The full report can be downloaded at www.neighbourhoodsgreen.org.uk
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