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Housing project under way to transform Toxteth church
Work has started on a £2.7m housing project to convert the former St Bernard’s Catholic church on Kingsley Road in Toxteth, Liverpool into 16 affordable homes.
Work has started on a £2.7m housing project to convert the former St Bernard’s Catholic church on Kingsley Road in Toxteth, Liverpool into 16 affordable homes.
Award winning charity Housing People, Building Communities (HPBC) will work in partnership with Onward (formerly Liverpool Housing Trust) to create eleven three-storey townhouses within the shell of the church, which dates back to 1901.
On the site of the former parish hall adjacent to the church, a three-bedroom detached house will be built along with four two-bedroom ‘cottage style’ apartments, each with its own external front door. All properties are for shared ownership.
While not listed, St Bernard’s is one of the few surviving Victorian buildings in the area, and is considered a building of interest, having been designed by Pugin & Pugin (the sons of Augustus Pugin, the architect who designed the interior of the Houses of Parliament).
In order to preserve the integrity of this historic building, Wirral-based architect Ainsley Gommon has kept external alterations to a minimum and incorporated as many original features into the properties as possible. Two of the townhouses will have carved stone fonts in their hallways, and many will benefit from the large church windows.
HPBC was gifted the church by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool, with the purpose of turning it into affordable homes. This follows their success at delivering the award-winning Kingsley Road / Alt Street housing project on the site of the derelict former church school adjacent to the church.
Bronwen Rapley, chief executive of Onward, the housing company undertaking the development work with the charity, said:
“It is wonderful to be working alongside HPBC to save this much-loved building and breathe new life into it. It’s a privilege to be able to repurpose this piece of Liverpool’s heritage and deliver much needed quality family housing for the area. Onward Homes is committed to providing a range of housing choices for local people in Liverpool and throughout Merseyside, and we would look to replicate this partnership model in the future if the opportunity arose.”
HPBC has devised an innovative approach to helping people get on the property ladder. Their ‘sweat equity’ initiative enables potential homeowners to reduce their deposit by £10,000 by giving 500 hours of work to the development. This could range from manual labour to offering a particular skill or talent.
The HPBC team will work with Onward and its contractor to ensure that home partner sweat equity forms an integral part of the St Bernard’s Church conversion.
Rev’d Dr Shannon Ledbetter, founder and chair of HPBC said:
“We’ve already had a lot of interest in the properties. Through the ‘sweat equity’ programme people will naturally feel a profound sense of ownership and pride in their neighbourhood, as they will have invested their time as well as money in the development. The success of our previous development means we have a strong, engaged community here already, and this church redevelopment will further build on that. We have a wonderfully diverse group of residents of all ages from families through to older people and it’s so rewarding to see the community spirit that has developed over a relatively short amount of time.”
To mark the start of building work, Liza Parry and Bronwen Rapley were joined on site by Deputy Mayor Cllr Ann O’Byrne, a long standing supporter of HPBC who said:
“I’m passionate about delivering more housing for the people of Liverpool and I would very much like to see the charity replicate its unique model in other parts of the city. I’m pleased Onward is working with HPBC to facilitate this.”
The development work will take 18 months and is due to be completed late 2019.
The contractor is Liverpool based Hampton Developments NW.
For more information on Onward visit onward.co.uk and for information on HPBC visit hpbc.org.uk
Church gift is anniversary boost for housing charity
A LIVERPOOL based housing charity has had the best anniversary present ever – the gift of the disused St Bernard’s Catholic Church in Kingsley Road, Toxteth, for conversion into new homes.
A LIVERPOOL based housing charity has had the best anniversary present ever – the gift of the disused St Bernard’s Catholic Church in Kingsley Road, Toxteth, for conversion into new homes.
The former church building has been gifted to Housing People, Building Communities, by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool and the charity has submitted a planning application to convert it into 11 residential units.
Under the plans there will also be four new-build two-bedroom apartments and a two/three-bedroom detached house within the curtilage of the church site.
Twin beams of light from the Liver Building on September 11, 2002 commemorate 9/11 and the launch of the Liverpool housing charity now known as Housing People, Building Communities.
The application has been submitted to Liverpool City Council in the same week that HPBC celebrated its 15th anniversary, having been launched on September 11, 2002 - the first anniversary of the 9/11 Twin Towers tragedy - during a special ceremony of ‘harmony and conciliation’ on the balcony of the Liver Buildings.
At that time the charity had been given 2.2 acres of land adjacent to St Bernard’s Church, again by the Archdiocese, and has recently finished developing 32 new homes using a combination of self-build, volunteering and corporate philanthropy. This included home partners spending 500 hours helping to build their homes in return for a £10,000 contribution to their deposit.
This same self-build concept - known as ‘sweat equity’ – will be applied to the new project if the plans are approved.
The Most Rev Malcolm McMahon, Archbishop of Liverpool said:
“Having seen what an excellent job HPBC has made of redeveloping the old school site next-door, the charity was the natural choice to take on this much loved church. The building has been falling into disrepair and we can think of nothing better than to see it permanently preserved and brought back into vibrant use as part of a community-led, low cost housing development.”
Designed by Pugin & Pugin (sons of Augustus Pugin famous for designing the interior of Westminster Place), St Bernard’s Church was built in 1901 and is Gothic in style. The Pugins were notable church architects and designed several other places of worship in Liverpool, including St Vincent de Paul, in St James Street, Our Lady Immaculate in Everton and Our Lady Of Reconciliation De La Salette, in Vauxhall.
While not listed, St Bernard’s is nevertheless one of the few surviving Victorian buildings on the street, a landmark in the area and has been ‘noted’ by Historic England.
Wirral-based architects Ainsley Gommon have made very few external changes and have endeavoured to incorporate as much internal detail as they can, although many of the key interior features that were used in the building’s ecclesiastical function have already been removed including the altars.
It is hoped that remaining stained glass windows will be retained; the archways that formed the arcade of the nave will be expressed as features within the individual properties and a stone turret in the front of the building creates an interesting spiral staircase in one of the planned townhouses. Ainsley Gommon has also worked hard to ensure that wherever possible large feature windows are not split by internal floors.
The architects and multi-award winning housing charity have worked closely with planning and conservation officers from Liverpool City Council to create the plans.
A church hall annexe, which was a later addition to the church building, will be demolished to make way for a new detached house, but the neighbouring presbytery will remain and is home to Rev Peter Morgan, who was the priest for St Bernard’s until the church closed in 2012, after the parish was combined with the parish of St Anne, in Edge Hill, where worship continues under his ministry.
On seeing the plans, Father Peter commented:
“What an extraordinary and imaginative design. This church building teemed with life for over 100 years. Now there will be new life, new energy - a new community."
The proposed church properties are a combination of three and four-storey homes with two, three or four bedrooms. The smallest will be 79.7m2 and the largest 145.5m2. Most have designated parking and all have some outside space. Every property will be unique in its design.
The addition of a new-build detached house and four ‘cottage style’ apartments in two blocks brings the total number of properties to 16 and serves to make the church conversion economically viable. The new properties will reflect the external designs of the 32 homes that HPBC has previously developed on Kingsley Road and Alt Street.
Rev’d Dr Shannon Ledbetter, founder and chair of Housing People, Building Communities, said:
“Since completing the last of our 32 homes on Alt Street we have been inundated with potential home partners wanting to know when we will have another project in the city. Subject to receiving planning consent from the City Council, we will now be able to expand our vision for a diverse community built by and for the community.
“We are currently in advanced talks with a registered provider, with whom we would work in partnership to redevelop the site and create affordable new homes for shared ownership. Once again, our home partners would be involved in helping to shape the very homes they will live in and those of their neighbours. As well as opportunities to work on construction, home partners, volunteers and trainees can help us with marketing, administration and other tasks.
“We are so grateful to the Archdiocese and believe this project will be a lasting legacy to the common good for the people of Liverpool.”
Subject to securing the necessary planning consent HPBC hopes that development can commence in spring 2018 with building works expected to take around 14 months.
For more information about the charity see hpbc.org.uk.
Alt Street families celebrate Eid with Liverpool's Lord Mayor
FAMILIES from different faiths, cultures and backgrounds who live side by side in Liverpool came together for a very special street party at the weekend.
Marwah and Aaliyah check out the Lord Mayor's chains.
FAMILIES from different faiths, cultures and backgrounds who live side by side in Liverpool came together for a very special street party at the weekend.
Muslim home partners who helped build some of the new homes at the Housing People, Building Communities’ development in Granby-Toxteth organised the Eid al-Fitr celebration and invited all their neighbours along to join in.
A few special guests turned up too, including the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Malcolm Kennedy and the Lady Mayoress Mrs Liliana Kennedy.
Amel Mohamed, who lives in one of the charity’s Alt Street homes with her two daughters aged 15 and 12, helped organise the celebration.
“Eid is a very special festival for us and marks the end of Ramadan fasting, although we held this a little later than usual to fit in with other things,” Amel explained.
“The ending of the fasting month brings forth the celebration of Eid, where families cook and break bread with their loved ones. And so I thought what a wonderful way to share love and celebrate over food. It was in this spirit that the Alt Street Eid party came to mind.”
Amel continued: “In our faith our neighbours are very important to us and this was a chance for everyone to get to know each other better too. We all lead busy lives, we go to work, come home and don’t always spend enough time together. This was the perfect opportunity.
“Whatever our descent, lifestyle or background, we all have the capacity to extend love and be neighbourly. It was such a great way to connect and get to know one another and show each other that we are essentially the same, all striving for safety, security, love and connection, peace and unity.”
Invitations for the Eid celebration were headed up “You cannot love your brother across the world if you do not love your neighbour across the street” and, as well as providing food and drink for all their guests, the Muslim families organised a bouncy castle for the children, face painting and henna art.
The Lord Mayor Malcolm Kennedy said: “It was marvellous to talk to residents and the children. I'm so proud of what HPBC has achieved. It was great to be able to relax and enjoy everybody's company.”
More than half of the 32 families who’ve made the HPBC Kingsley Road and Alt Street development their home turned up for the street party and many of them invited along other family members and friends to join in the fun.
Home partner Jess Lunt, who also helped build her Alt Street home, said: “It was fantastic to see everyone without tools in hand, and meet the last couple of neighbours we hadn't met properly during the build. This was my first experience of an Eid celebration and I really enjoyed spending quality time with neighbours, eating the delicious food and getting a beautiful henna tattoo.
“Seeing the Lord Mayor on the bouncy castle with all the kids was also a highlight. I can't wait for the next one and I'm already thinking about how I can contribute.”
Indeed plans are already in hand for the Eid al-Adha festival in September, also known as the Great Eid, which just happens to coincide with the 15-year anniversary of the HPBC charity being founded.
“All of the home partners have offered to pitch in and help with food and drink in September so that the hard work doesn’t just fall on the small group who mostly organised Saturday’s street party,” said Liza Parry, chief executive of Housing People, Building Communities.
The HPBC charity has won awards for its work in Liverpool, allowing home partners on modest incomes to help build their own home in return for a £10,000 contribution towards owning it. With the 32 homes in Kingsley Road and Alt Street now occupied, the charity is deep in negotiations to secure a second scheme to meet demand for its unique brand of low-cost housing.
For more information see hpbc.org.uk.
HPBC offers affordable housing solution for UK first time buyers
HPBC home partners Hannah and Martin interviewed for BBC TV News as part of a feature about lack of affordable homes in Liverpool.
HPBC home partners Hannah and Martin interviewed for BBC TV News as part of a feature about lack of affordable homes in Liverpool.
Broadcast on the BBC News channel 27th April 2017.
Tell us what you want from a new home
Our multi award winning Kingsley Road community-led project of 32 homes in Toxteth, Liverpool is virtually complete and the final home partners have moved in. We’re proud to have created a new neighbourhood with a real community feel.
Currently we have no new homes available for sale. However we are actively exploring new sites and are in discussions to deliver more of our innovative homes, with prices kept low through sweat equity, volunteer labour and donations of money, materials and goods in kind.
Our multi award winning Kingsley Road community-led project of 32 homes in Toxteth, Liverpool is virtually complete and the final home partners have moved in. We’re proud to have created a new neighbourhood with a real community feel.
Currently we have no new homes available for sale. However we are actively exploring new sites and are in discussions to deliver more of our innovative homes, with prices kept low through sweat equity, volunteer labour and donations of money, materials and goods in kind.
As part of this process we’d like to know a bit more about our potential future home partners and what you are looking for in a new home. Therefore it would be helpful if you could complete our questionnaire asap. It’s easy to do and should only take you a few minutes. The information you provide could help shape any future projects.
‘Build It’ award is fitting climax for Liverpool housing project
A LIVERPOOL housing scheme nearing completion has won yet another national award for its unique approach.
The 32-property Kingsley Road scheme in the Granby-Toxteth district, was named Best Collective or Group Self Build Project at the 2016 Build It awards.
HPBC trustee Brian Emmott (ctr), receiving the Build It award from host Tim Vine (right) and Paul Kempton of category sponsor Self Build Zone.
A LIVERPOOL housing scheme nearing completion has won yet another national award for its unique approach.
The 32-property Kingsley Road scheme in the Granby-Toxteth district, was named Best Collective or Group Self Build Project at the 2016 Build It awards.
It’s the latest in a long line of accolades for the Housing People, Building Communities charity, whose homes combine an element of self build – known as ‘sweat equity’ – with volunteering and corporate philanthropy, to keep costs low.
The final home partners have recently moved into their houses on Alt Street, Toxteth, after spending 500 hours working on site to help build them in return for a £10,000 deposit.
The Build It award is a fitting climax and extra reason to celebrate – and the housing charity is now actively seeking new opportunities to continue its work.
In announcing HPBC as winners of their category, organisers of the Build It awards said: 'The winning scheme was lauded by the judges for several reasons, but in particular they were impressed that these affordable self-build homes were realised through a combination of sweat equity and shared ownership, giving first-time buyers a foot on the housing ladder, as well as creating an overwhelming level of community and neighbourly spirit.'
The Kingsley Road scheme was originally nominated by Duncan Hayes, editor of Custom Build Strategy, a website offering industry insight for the custom build sector.
Duncan said: 'HPBC has truly earned this award. It has created 32 custom-build homes that are truly affordable, a hugely difficult concept to quantify and create in modern house building. The purchasers have been involved with layout and finish choices in their homes, and have taken part in the building their homes, using ‘sweat equity’ to help bring down costs on the project. Working together has given residents a sense of community and ownership, allowed them to build up new skills and confidence that improves their employability and given them homes, via shared ownership, that they would otherwise be unable to afford.
'Custom builds like this offer huge scope for social equity, and happier housing developments. It would be great to see this grass roots model replicated by other planners and charities across the nation.'
HPBC trustee Brian Emmott attended the award ceremony in London, which was hosted by actor and comedian Tim Vine.
Brian, who’s also founder and director of the The Terre Initiative and its International Real Estate Advisory Network, said afterwards: 'As a relatively new trustee, it was a pleasure to attend the Build It ceremony and accept this recognition on HPBC’s behalf. Kingsley Road really is an exemplar of what can be achieved with community led and self build housing and, having successfully completed the 32 homes in Toxteth, we are actively seeking new opportunities in Liverpool and beyond to create further affordable homes in a similar way.'
Previous awards for HPBC include:
2015 Inside Housing Top 60 Developments - Affordable Housing Development of the Year finalist
2015 Builder & Engineer Awards – Highly Commended for Affordable Housing Project of the Year
2014 National Housing Awards – Most Innovative or Specialist Scheme
2014 UK Housing Awards – Best community led initiative
2014 First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards – Best housing alliance
2013 Housebuilder Awards – Best community initiative
2013 Liverpool Your Move Property Awards - Judges’ favourite project
For more information visit hpbc.org.uk.
Home improvements retail giant helps housing charity
A LARGE consignment of building materials worth around £5,000 has been donated to a Liverpool housing charity by DIY and trade retailer Wickes.
Housing People Building Communities (HPBC) has already used many of the building supplies at its 32 homes site off Kingsley Road, in Toxteth. Larger items, including decking, laminate flooring and kitchen units will be sold via the charity’s Goods2go eBay store to raise much needed funds.
Volunteers and home partners make use of some of the donated items
A LARGE consignment of building materials worth around £5,000 has been donated to a Liverpool housing charity by DIY and trade retailer Wickes.
Housing People Building Communities (HPBC) has already used many of the building supplies at its 32 homes site off Kingsley Road, in Toxteth. Larger items, including decking, laminate flooring and kitchen units will be sold via the charity’s Goods2go eBay store to raise much needed funds.
HPBC builds affordable homes for sale, using volunteer labour and donations of money, materials and gifts in kind. Home partners who will eventually live in the properties spend 500 hours working on site – known as ‘sweat equity’ – in return for a £10,000 discount.
The donated materials were all new and sourced from the Wickes distribution centre in Wakefield. They had been used or unpackaged for use at the Wickes annual conference at the beginning of the year and could not be re-sold, making them surplus to requirements.
Matthew Gaunt, head of brand communications for Wickes, commented:
“We were thrilled to be presented with the opportunity to supply materials to HPBC. It’s great to be able to help raise awareness for the work that is being carried out by hard-working volunteers to provide affordable homes to those who need them most.”
HPBC is approaching the end of its Kingsley Road project and is now actively seeking new opportunities to develop more affordable housing of its kind, having won multiple awards for affordable housing, innovation, community engagement and partnership approach to development.
Liza Parry, the charity’s chief executive said:
“It was an extremely generous donation and everything will either be used on site or sold to raise funds so we can continue building. For example, students from Hugh Baird College in Bootle have used tile adhesive and grout to finish off the bathrooms in some of our final homes. We’re hugely grateful to Wickes for their support – their donation will save us an awful lot of money.”
The treasure trove of donated goods also included tools, safety wear and painting supplies, which all came in useful during a recent home partner teambuild day. And policing students from Liverpool John Moore University made good use of the painting overalls when emulsioning some of the homes.
For more information visit the HPBC website.
Chinese fundraiser is no monkey business!
A FUNDRAISER celebrating the Chinese Year of the Monkey has raised over £1,000 for Liverpool charities including Housing People, Building Communities (HPBC).
Attended by around a hundred guests, the dinner at the Chung Ku restaurant on Liverpool’s waterfront included lion dancing and a martial arts display by members of the Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu school.
A FUNDRAISER celebrating the Chinese Year of the Monkey has raised over £1,000 for Liverpool charities including Housing People, Building Communities (HPBC).
Attended by around a hundred guests, the dinner at the Chung Ku restaurant on Liverpool’s waterfront included lion dancing and a martial arts display by members of the Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu school.
VIP guests included the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Tony Concepcion, and the money raised will be shared between HPBC and the Lord Mayor’s official charities, Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey, Kids in Need and Distress (KIND) and Lister Steps Carnegie Community Hub.
Among the more unusual raffle prizes were tools and materials donated to Housing People, Building Communities by DIY and trade retailer Wickes.
Family and friends of event organiser Charalene Lee provided other prizes for the raffle and tombola and her five-year-old niece Lily charmed guests with her dancing.
Liza Parry, chief executive of HPBC, said:
“This is the second year that the Chung Ku has very kindly hosted an event of this kind to raise money for ourselves and the Lord Mayor’s charities. As last year, the venue was stunning, the food was delicious and the entertainment was excellent.
“We’ve been building 32 low-cost homes in Granby-Toxteth with the help of home partners, volunteers and companies who donate money, materials and gifts in kind. That project is very nearly complete and we’re now actively seeking sites and funding for future projects so that we can carry on the work we’ve started.
“Events like the Chinese Year of the Monkey celebration help raise awareness as well as cash and we’re extremely grateful to Charalene, for organising, and Norman Shum at the Chung Ku for their support.”
The Lord Mayor, Cllr Tony Concepcion, said:
"I was delighted to attend the second annual Chinese New Year celebrations at the Chung Ku Restaurant, with martial art displays, lion dancers, contemporary Chinese dance and fabulous food; we had a fantastic night of music and entertainment as well raising funds for local charities.”
For more about Housing People, Building Communities visit the HPBC website.
Wienerberger visits housing charity’s award-winning Liverpool development as it nears completion
Since teaming up in 2012, Wienerberger has donated 17,000 roof tiles, over 1,800 square meters of roof felt, around 10,000 engineering bricks and 132 packs of block paving which is 88,000 individual blocks.
Wienerberger has also donated funds to the project, including fundraising for the 2014 BUPA Great Manchester Run and after being recognised by the CBME Safety Award Scheme and donating the prize money when the charity suffered a heart-breaking theft in 2015.
Since teaming up in 2012, Wienerberger has donated 17,000 roof tiles, over 1,800 square meters of roof felt, around 10,000 engineering bricks and 132 packs of block paving which is 88,000 individual blocks.
Wienerberger has also donated funds to the project, including fundraising for the 2014 BUPA Great Manchester Run and after being recognised by the CBME Safety Award Scheme and donating the prize money when the charity suffered a heart-breaking theft in 2015.
The HPBC project has brought 32 homes to Toxteth, Liverpool, and aims to improve the supply of affordable housing in the area to assist those wanting to take their first step onto the property ladder. The project relies on the support of volunteers – including future homeowners and donations of money and materials to build the properties. The homes are available on a ‘sweat equity’ and shared ownership basis; future homeowners themselves work to help build the properties in return for a £10,000 discount on the cost of their new home. They then use a mortgage to purchase a percentage share in the home, with HPBC’s development partner Sanctuary Group retaining any equity in the properties and charging an affordable rent on that portion.
Annette Forster, Director of Marketing at Wienerberger, commented:
"Wienerberger has been involved with this project since 2012 and it has been humbling and rewarding to be involved with this fantastic initiative. The focus and values on improving people's quality of life through affordable housing and community involvement resonated with our own values and it has been great to see this development grow into a vibrant community and gain worldwide support.
“It has been an honour to visit the site and meet some of the home partners whose lives will be improved as a result of this initiative. Liza Parry and Rev’d Cannon Dr Shannon Ledbetter are inspirational leaders and there are many lessons that can be learnt from this project. Due to their passion and dedication the staff at Wienerberger and specifically John Christopher have gone the extra mile for three years and 32 families will benefit as a result. The humbling hugs from home partners made it all worthwhile.”
Liza Parry, Chief Executive at Housing People, Building Communities, added:
“From the donation of building materials, to the capital and the support we’ve received from the Wienerberger team over the last three years their partnership has been absolutely tremendous. Their support has saved us in the region of £43,000 and has helped make the dream of owning a home become a reality for so many.
“The HPBC home partners, volunteers, trainees and board of trustees are so grateful for their generosity, without which, this community project would have undoubtedly struggled to be completed.”
HPBC’s pioneering strategy has been recognised by a number of awards, including Most Innovative/Specialist Solution at the National Housing Awards, Best Community-led Initiative at the 2014 UK Housing Awards and Best Housing Alliance at the First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards.
For further information please visit the Wienerberger website or follow Wienerberger on Twitter. For further information on the HBPC scheme and how you can support it visit the HPBC website.
Housing Minister sees positive impact of self-build with shared ownership
HOUSING Minister Brandon Lewis has been introduced to a unique housing project in Liverpool, which combines an element of self-build with shared ownership.
Purchasers of homes at the Housing People, Building Communities’ Kingsley Road development in Toxteth spend up to 500 hours helping to build the properties – and can then buy them on a shared ownership basis through the charity’s development partner Sanctuary Group.
L-R, HPBC chair Shannon Ledbetter, home partner Nour Laghchim, Housing Minister Brandon Lewis, home partner Hannah Anderson and her father-in-law Andrew Smith.
HOUSING Minister Brandon Lewis has been introduced to a unique housing project in Liverpool, which combines an element of self-build with shared ownership.
Purchasers of homes at the Housing People, Building Communities’ Kingsley Road development in Toxteth spend up to 500 hours helping to build the properties – and can then buy them on a shared ownership basis through the charity’s development partner Sanctuary Group.
It’s a win-win situation for first time buyers, who reduce the overall cost of their home by £10,000 by contributing what is known as ‘sweat equity’. They then buy a share of their home through a mortgage and pay an affordable rent to Sanctuary on the remaining share.
Mr Lewis met two home partners during his visit, together with other volunteers who are helping to build the homes and construction students from Hugh Baird College who are gaining valuable practical work experience on site.
Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: “This government is committed to increasing housing supply and helping more people achieve their aspiration of home ownership – whether that’s buying on the open market through schemes like Help to Buy, or to build.
"We want to see custom and self-build grow significantly and believe it can play a role as part of a wider package of measures to help deliver the homes people want.
"This unique and ingenious initiative combining self-build with shared ownership brought together by the Sanctuary Group and HPBC is a great example of Britain building again."
Among those Mr Lewis met on site was 27-year-old first time buyer Hannah Anderson, a youth worker, and her partner’s father Andrew Smith, 70, who is helping Hannah and Martin Shannon-Smith to complete their 500 hours of sweat equity.
“As soon as I started working I wanted to own a home of my own but it just wasn’t possible to save a deposit while paying rent,” Hannah explained. “When I first heard of the opportunity to help build my own home it sounded like a ‘Grand Designs’ kind of dream and I never thought it would be possible, but it turns out it is. Not only will I own my own home but I’ll have helped to build it too – and I’ll have built it with my neighbours. It’s an amazing project and I’d love to see more of them around the UK.”
So far Hannah and Martin have clocked up around 200 of their sweat equity hours, helped by Martin’s retired dad Andrew who spends up to two days each week on site.
“I worked in an office all of my life so it’s very different to find myself on a building site getting my hands dirty, but it’s a great experience and the professionals who help us are all very patient and friendly,” Andrew added.
Founder and chair of Housing People, Building Communities, Rev’d Canon Shannon Ledbetter explained how the project is not only contributing to helping solve the country’s housing crisis but also demonstrates true community cohesion.
“We have people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and faiths working side by side helping to build these homes,” Shannon said. “This model for homeownership is proving highly successful and we hope it can be replicated on a larger scale utilising the knowledge, skills and experience that we’ve gained through this project.”
Now nearing completion, the Kingsley Road project will eventually comprise 32 homes and relies on volunteer labour and donations of money, materials and gifts in kind to keep building costs low. It has had support from the Homes and Communities Agency, Liverpool City Council and many companies including Wienerberger and ISG Construction.
For more information visit: www.hpbc.org.uk
Top 60 UK success lifts Liverpool housing charity after site theft
A HOUSING charity recently targeted by thieves has been given just the boost it needs – the 32 homes nearing completion in Toxteth, Liverpool, have been named as one of the Top 60 developments in the country by Inside Housing.
Within the main list, the Kingsley Road project by Housing People, Building Communities (HPBC) - in association with Sanctuary Group and supported by the Homes & Communities Agency - is designated one of the six best affordable housing schemes and will now compete for the top title in this category on October 16.
HPBC’s award-winning homes in Liverpool
A HOUSING charity recently targeted by thieves has been given just the boost it needs – the 32 homes nearing completion in Toxteth, Liverpool, have been named as one of the Top 60 developments in the country by Inside Housing.
Within the main list, the Kingsley Road project by Housing People, Building Communities (HPBC) - in association with Sanctuary Group and supported by the Homes & Communities Agency - is designated one of the six best affordable housing schemes and will now compete for the top title in this category on October 16.
“This is fabulous news and just the lift our Home Partners, staff and supporters needed.”
Liza Parry, chief executive of HPBC said: “This is fabulous news and just the lift our home partners, staff and supporters needed after we recently lost over £5,000 of building materials and equipment to heartless thieves. Our homes are built largely by volunteers, including the people who will eventually live in them, and we rely heavily on donations of time, money and gifts in kind to keep costs down.”
John Hocking, executive director, Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, and one of the award judges said that the Liverpool project “demonstrates direct involvement and provides clear returns to the community; an essential ingredient of successful regeneration.”
The Top 60 Developments celebrate success and innovation in delivering new homes. The list highlights achievement in 10 key areas, from design to sustainability. In each area, the best development will be chosen and awarded a winner’s trophy.
Emma Maier, editor of Inside Housing, said: “Across the UK there is a crisis in the supply of quality, affordable homes. We launched the Top 60 Developments this year to reward those who are excelling in providing much-needed homes. We were inundated with entries from the leading organisations who have been behind the most innovative and impressive projects in the UK. It is a brilliant achievement for Housing People, Building Communities to make it into the Top 60 in the face of such fierce competition.”
The Liverpool housing charity lost 23 doors, 14 radiators, four cookers, four hobs, two sinks, tools and various electrical items during a break-in last month.
“Fortunately the local community and our supporters have all rallied round,” Liza explained. “Sanctuary Group has offered to replace most of the stolen goods that weren't claimable through our insurance due to the excess; we’ve had a donation of £2,200 from building materials supplier Wienerberger, who already provide thousands of pounds worth of roof tiles, bricks and block pavers for our project; and our volunteers were invited to collect cash at a recent Coffee & Cars event held at the Chung Ku Chinese restaurant in Liverpool.
“We’ve also had countless messages of support and offers of further help, including off-site storage, additional security cameras for the site and Travis Perkins and City Plumbing Supplies have both donated replacement items.”
The HPBC scheme has pioneered ‘sweat equity’ in the UK, a process whereby home partners spend 500 hours helping to build their home in return for a £10,000 discount on the purchase price. Only a handful of the remaining homes have yet to be allocated and potential home partners are urged to get in touch as soon as possible.
Thieves deliver bitter blow to Liverpool housing charity
HEARTLESS thieves have stolen building materials worth thousands of pounds from a Toxteth housing charity.
Among the items taken from the Housing People, Building Communities’ site off Kingsley Road were 23 doors, 14 radiators, four cookers, four hobs, two sinks, tools and various electrical items which were due to be fitted in the houses this week.
Bay TV reported the site break-in
HEARTLESS thieves have stolen building materials worth thousands of pounds from a Toxteth housing charity.
Among the items taken from the Housing People, Building Communities’ site off Kingsley Road were 23 doors, 14 radiators, four cookers, four hobs, two sinks, tools and various electrical items which were due to be fitted in the houses this week.
The break-in is a major blow to the charity, which relies on volunteer labour and donations of money, materials and gifts in kind to keep its house prices low.
Home partners who will eventually live in the homes also spend 500 hours helping to build them in return for a £10,000 discount on the purchase price. This unique approach has earned several national awards and seen the scheme lauded as a trailblazer in affordable housing.
Rev Canon Shannon Ledbetter, chair of HPBC, said: “Our CCTV cameras show a group of men entering the site late on Thursday evening and breaking into four of the homes where the materials were being stored. It seems to have been a well-planned and swiftly executed operation.
“It’s bitterly disappointing, not least because this is a community based project that relies on so much goodwill. We had eight French student placements arriving Monday to join four who started last week; we’ve also just received a big donation of block pavers from one of our ongoing supporters, Wienerberger.
“Amongst all this generosity it’s sickening for everyone involved – staff, volunteers and, in particular, the home partners who’ve worked so hard to secure a decent home for themselves and their families - to see the charity targeted by crooks in this way.
“It’s a real loss for the charity and the items cannot be easily replaced. I hope the people responsible are ashamed of themselves.”
Police are investigating the theft and the charity is appealing to anyone involved in the building trade to be wary of materials being offered to them at a cut price rate.
“Likewise we’ll be monitoring eBay and other online sites for any of the items being offered for sale,” Shannon said.
The items stolen are worth a total of around £5,000.
Constable Dave Langshaw said: "Stealing from a charity is a really despicable offence and I would like to reassure the community that we are working to identify the person or people responsible.
"I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and noticed anything suspicious near to or outside the charity's building on Alt Street between 5pm on Thursday, 4 June and 8am on Friday, 5 June to contact police. Your information will be looked at thoroughly and could really help our enquiries.
"I would also ask anyone who thinks they may have been offered anything matching the descriptions of the items to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 0515104473, or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111."
Housing People, Building Communities is building 32 low-cost homes off Kingsley Road, in the Granby-Toxteth district of Liverpool. The charity has been working in partnership with Sanctuary Group to deliver the final 23 homes and the site is due to be completed this autumn. Several sets of home partners are currently fulfilling what’s known as their ‘sweat equity’ hours and a number of others are going through the application process.
Last chance to trade ‘sweat equity’ for £10,000 discount on new home
WITH solving the country’s housing crisis and providing much-needed homes for first time buyers high on every political party’s election manifesto, a Liverpool scheme that’s doing just that is rapidly nearing its end.
Time’s running out for would-be home owners to save £10,000 on the cost of a new home in return for spending 500 hours working on site to help build their home and that of their neighbours.
HPBC home partners Florence Obiaju (left) and Joyce Msiska outside some of the recently completed homes.
WITH solving the country’s housing crisis and providing much-needed homes for first time buyers high on every political party’s election manifesto, a Liverpool scheme that’s doing just that is rapidly nearing its end.
Time’s running out for would-be home owners to save £10,000 on the cost of a new home in return for spending 500 hours working on site to help build their home and that of their neighbours.
Only 11 properties are unspoken for and the award winning charity behind the scheme - Housing People, Building Communities - has put out a call for would-be home partners to come forward before it’s too late.
Liza Parry, HPBC chief executive, said: “We’re working in partnership with Sanctuary Group to deliver the remaining homes and the site is due to be completed this autumn. As a result, there’s limited time left for home partners to fulfil their 500 hours of what we call ‘sweat equity’. As well as allowing people to exchange their time for cash, this unique approach also enables them to learn new skills and helps to develop a sense of community long before they move into their home.”
“I work hard but have not been able to save enough for a deposit, but because of this scheme I will now be able to own my own home and improve my life and that of my family.”
Among those who’ve already benefitted are social worker Joyce Msiska, who’s lived in Liverpool for 20 years, and said: “The idea that I could use the only thing I have – my energy – as a resource, that my own ‘sweat equity’ could get me a stake in my own home, was a godsend. I work hard but have not been able to save enough for a deposit, but because of this scheme I will now be able to own my own home and improve my life and that of my family.”
And Florence Obiaju, who’s lived in Liverpool for the last 11 years, said: “Sweat equity is the most advantageous thing, working alongside people who will form this community. I’ve learned a lot of skills – now I know the layout of the house, I will feel more confident about getting work done in the future.”
Meanwhile, one of the newest home partners, Kieran Bohan, is looking forward to starting work on his new home and has already begun helping out with his neighbours’ houses.
New home partner Kieran Bohan clocks up some of his ‘sweat equity’ hours.
“This is the best chance we have of getting a house and we can really take ownership of our own home and neighbourhood by working together to build it.”
Youth worker Kieran said: "When I moved to Liverpool 12 years ago to do a course and start a new career, it would have been a great time to get a mortgage but as a student I couldn't do it. Since then Liverpool has boomed and so have the property prices, but our salaries haven't. This is the best chance we have of getting a house and we can really take ownership of our own home and neighbourhood by working together to build it."
HPBC’s three-bedroom homes off Kingsley Road, in the city’s Granby-Toxteth district, are competitively priced at £118,000 for a mid-terrace and £122,000 for an end-terrace. There’s even the option to add a fourth bedroom in the loft space at the time of construction.
Would-be home partners should live or work in the Liverpool area or have strong family connections with the area. They must be willing and able to give 500 hours of their time towards creating a unique community and they must be in a financial position to obtain a mortgage. Shared ownership mortgages are available, with housing association Sanctuary Group collecting a 2.75% annual rent (charged monthly) on any residual equity in the property.
“Some applicants are apprehensive about committing to 500 hours of physical labour but we work with them to schedule their time and, once we explain that the hours can be shared with their family and friends, they soon realise that it’s achievable, especially as the site is open six days a week, “ Liza explained. “And for those who physically can’t work on site, perhaps because of a medical problem, we do offer alternatives including assisting the charity with administration, marketing or IT support.”
Click here to find out how to apply to Housing People, Building Communities or call Liza Parry on 0151 707 9440.
‘Year of the Ram’ celebration raises over £1,000 for charities
A TOXTETH housing charity and this year’s Lord Mayor Charity Appeal will benefit from a Chinese New Year charity dinner held last night (Feb 23) at the Chung Ku restaurant at Columbus Quay, Liverpool.
The waterfront restaurant was the perfect setting for the ‘East meets West’ event, enjoyed by almost a hundred people. It featured a three-course Chinese meal, fire cracker display, traditional Chinese dancing, plus a tombola and raffle, with over £1,000 raised on the night.
East Meets West: The Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Erica Kemp CBE and Cllr Richard Kemp, pictured with representatives of Housing People, Building Communities, Business in the Community and the Chung Ku restaurant.
A TOXTETH housing charity and this year’s Lord Mayor Charity Appeal will benefit from a Chinese New Year charity dinner held last night (Feb 23) at the Chung Ku restaurant at Columbus Quay, Liverpool.
The waterfront restaurant was the perfect setting for the ‘East meets West’ event, enjoyed by almost a hundred people. It featured a three-course Chinese meal, fire cracker display, traditional Chinese dancing, plus a tombola and raffle, with over £1,000 raised on the night.
Norman Shum of the Chung Ku restaurant said: “It was wonderful to bring east and west together to celebrate the Chinese New Year. As well as being great fun, it was the perfect opportunity to support some amazing charities locally.”
Proceeds will be split between the Lord Mayor Charity Appeal – this year helping Teenage Cancer Trust, the Merseyside branch of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), Alzheimer’s Society andThe Reader Organisation – and the charity Housing People, Building Communities.
Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Erica Kemp CBE, who attended with her husband Cllr Richard Kemp, said: “This is a fantastic way to raise money and awareness for some very worthy charities while celebrating Chinese New Year. Liverpool has long had historic links with China and holding a fabulous fundraiser at the waterfront gives us the perfect opportunity to celebrate and strengthen those links.”
Housing People, Building Communities (HPBC), the award winning organisation building 32 low-cost homes off Kingsley Road, will also benefit.
HPBC Chair, Rev’d Canon Shannon Ledbetter, commented: “We’re extremely grateful to the Chung Ku restaurant for holding this event and making us one of the main beneficiaries. It was an excellent opportunity for people from in and around the city to enjoy a fantastic evening welcoming in the Year of the Ram. whilst helping so many good causes at the same time.”
Unique housing project makes contribution to Mayor's ‘5,000 Homes for City’ Pledge
LIVERPOOL’S elected Mayor, Joe Anderson – who’s pledged to build 5,000 homes across the city in his first term – today (Feb 18) visited an award winning building site that’s already helping to put Liverpool on the map.
Holder of numerous national awards for its unique approach to providing affordable homes, Housing People, Building Communities is partway through building 32 three-bedroom terraced houses off Kingsley Road, in the Granby-Toxteth district of the city.
LIVERPOOL’S elected Mayor, Joe Anderson – who’s pledged to build 5,000 homes across the city in his first term – today (Feb 18) visited an award winning building site that’s already helping to put Liverpool on the map.
Holder of numerous national awards for its unique approach to providing affordable homes, Housing People, Building Communities is partway through building 32 three-bedroom terraced houses off Kingsley Road, in the Granby-Toxteth district of the city.
What makes these homes special is that the people who will eventually live in them help to build them, with support from other volunteers and using materials donated by some major names in the construction industry.
HPBC has teamed up with national housing and care provider Sanctuary Group for 23 of the 32 homes, with Sanctuary investing over £2 million in developing the site.
The land was gifted by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, reserve soldiers from the 75 Engineer regiment have helped build roads and sewers and local colleges use the site to provide apprentices and trainees with on-site experience.
During his visit, Mayor Anderson was introduced to home partners who are investing 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’ to help build their homes, in return for a £10,000 contribution to their housing deposit.
He also met with representatives of Sanctuary and international construction services company ISG, who are currently working across the high-profile £66+ million Exhibition Centre Liverpool and Pullman Liverpool Hotel development on the city’s waterfront. ISG and one of their sub-contractors Briggs & Forrester have been working with students from City of Liverpool College doing the first and second fix electrics on some of the HPBC homes.
Mayor Anderson said: “This is great innovation in action and is exactly the kind of thinking that is needed to tackle the national housing crisis. The work that is being done here is changing people’s lives, generating confidence and well-being, building and strengthening communities and it complements the house building programmes we are undertaking across the city, including our Homes for a £1 scheme.
“I congratulate everyone involved in HPBC, it is great partnership working and something everyone can be proud of. I’m also pleased to see that something delivered so successfully in Liverpool is quite rightly attracting considerable attention from all over the UK.”
HPBC’s chief executive Liza Parry added: “It was great to welcome the Mayor to our Kingsley Road development to see first-hand what we are achieving here. We’ve already had tremendous support from the council, especially from Councillors Ann O’Byrne and Malcolm Kennedy, but the more people that can see the difference we are making to people’s lives, the better.
“Our approach is unique in this country, combining elements of self-build, volunteering and corporate philanthropy. The backing of Sanctuary and the unpaid support we get from organisations like ISG, the army and companies like Wienerberger, who supply our roof tiles and block pavers, is invaluable; and because the home partners work together before moving in there is a real sense of community here.”
Before leaving, Mayor Anderson was also invited to join HPBC and Sanctuary in planting one of more than 30 trees donated by the Mersey Forest organisation to help make this part of Toxteth a greener place.
Housing charity marks achievements and calls for support
SUPPORTERS of a multi award winning Liverpool housing charity came together to celebrate its success and look to its future.
Guests of Housing People, Building Communities (HPBC) heard from speakers including Cllr Ann O’Byrne, Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing, Liverpool City Council; Lord David Alton of Liverpool, one of the charity’s founding patrons; and Richard Bacon MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Self Build, Custom Build and Independent Housebuilding, which has been following HPBC’s achievements closely.
Richard Bacon MP hands over the keys to proud Home Partner George Anyakwo
SUPPORTERS of a multi award winning Liverpool housing charity came together to celebrate its success and look to its future.
Guests of Housing People, Building Communities (HPBC) heard from speakers including Cllr Ann O’Byrne, Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing, Liverpool City Council; Lord David Alton of Liverpool, one of the charity’s founding patrons; and Richard Bacon MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Self Build, Custom Build and Independent Housebuilding, which has been following HPBC’s achievements closely.
Even more importantly they got to meet some of the home partners who already live in the first phase of the development, off Kingsley Road, in Granby-Toxteth, some who are about to move into their brand new homes and others who are partway through helping to build the property that will ultimately be their home.
Social worker Joyce Msiska, who’s lived in Liverpool for 20 years, told how she was currently working on site to help build her home. She said: “The idea that I could use the only thing I have – my energy – as a resource, that my own ‘sweat equity’ could get me a stake in my own home, was a godsend. I work hard but have not been able to save enough for a deposit, but because of this scheme I will now be able to own my own home and improve my life and that of my family.”
Cllr Ann O’Byrne told guests the project was about the whole of the community coming together. “It is genuine partnership work – you cannot get more partnership than this.”
And Richard Bacon MP said he hoped that others groups around the UK – including his own rural constituency in South Norfolk - could learn from HPBC’s experiences and achievements. “If we can put a man on the moon 45 years ago, we should be able to make sure everyone has somewhere decent to live today. We should not have a housing problem. Unlocking the energy we already have will make a difference and this scheme is an exemplar and testament to what is possible.”
Richard was later invited to hand over keys to George Anyakwo, who, with his wife Linda and their two sons, will be moving into one of three HPBC houses just completed. The celebration event was timed to coincide with completion of these latest homes and also comes at the end of a 12-month period that has seen the charity win five major awards:
- 2014 National Housing Awards: Most Innovative/Specialist Solution
- 2014 Inside Housing UK Housing Awards: Best Community-led Initiative
- 2014 First Time Buyers Readers’ Awards: Best Housing Alliance
- 2013 Housebuilder Awards: Best Community Initiative
- 2013 Your Move Property Awards: Judges’ Favourite
Rev’d Canon Dr Shannon Ledbetter, Chair of Housing People, Building Communities, said afterwards: “Today is a celebration of our achievements. It’s also a chance to say a collective ‘thank you’ to everyone who’s helped us get this far, including our home partners, volunteers, the companies who’ve worked with us and donated materials, plus the very many local and national organisations who’ve supported us.”
Shannon also used the event to call on politicians and businesses locally and nationally to help the charity secure its future. “We’ve been extremely successful, but our 32 homes here at Kingsley Road are due to be completed by autumn next year and we are now searching for a new site to continue our work, ideally in Liverpool or close by. The land for our current project was donated to us by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and we have been working with our development partner, Sanctuary Group, to deliver the remaining 23 properties. The cost of our homes is kept low through volunteer labour and donations of materials and gifts in kind by some very generous supporters,” she added.
HPBC home partners spend 500 hours helping to build the homes – known as ‘sweat equity’ - in return for a £10,000 discount on the cost of their new home, which they can then purchase on a shared ownership basis.
As well as Sanctuary, who’ve invested circa £2 million to help fund 23 of the houses, others who’ve contributed to the project include reserve soldiers from the 75 Engineer Regiment, who helped dig drains and build the road; building products manufacturer Wienerberger who continue to donate a large quantity of building materials; and construction group ISG, who’ve held several teambuild days and given professional support.
The celebration event itself was put together with the generous support of several organisations, including Sanctuary Group, Business in the Community, Hugh Baird College in Bootle, Liverpool’s Chung Ku Chinese restaurant and north west based Active Public Relations.
Construction students helping to build communities
JOINERY students from Hugh Baird College joined their tutors and invited guests last week at a key handover event for the houses they are helping to build while on their course.
The housing development, off Kingsley Road in the Granby-Toxteth area of Liverpool, is the project of multi award winning Liverpool housing charity, Housing People, Building Communities (HPBC). Their special approach combines self-build, volunteering and corporate philanthropy in a unique way.
JOINERY students from Hugh Baird College joined their tutors and invited guests last week at a key handover event for the houses they are helping to build while on their course.
The housing development, off Kingsley Road in the Granby-Toxteth area of Liverpool, is the project of multi award winning Liverpool housing charity, Housing People, Building Communities (HPBC). Their special approach combines self-build, volunteering and corporate philanthropy in a unique way.
HPBC’s home partners help to build the homes they will ultimately live in, working alongside volunteers from all over the world. Hugh Baird College Construction students are amongst the volunteers and Scott Billington, Taylor Marshall and John Jones were representing them at the event celebrating the completion of the latest three houses.
Taylor said:
“It’s great to be able to see the finished houses and to know that I am helping to build the next phase of them. On the joinery course at Hugh Baird College we are in really well equipped workshops and we are learning all the technical and theory side of things. But our tutors also take us out on site too so we get to work on a real building site here at Kingsley Road every week. We’re finding out exactly what to expect when we start work. Also, there’s a real sense of achievement knowing that we’re working alongside the people who will eventually live in the houses and that we are doing our bit to help the community. It’s good experience and in the future every time I drive past the houses, I can say I helped build them.”
The partnership between HPBC and Hugh Baird College sees groups of joinery students visiting the Kingsley Road site twice a week. They are allocated tasks by the site manager and volunteer co-ordinator which can vary depending on the stage of the build. This has meant Hugh Baird College students have done everything from fitting exterior cladding and constructing and fitting staircases to laying floors and erecting fencing.
Joinery lecturer at Hugh Baird College, Bill Wormald said:
“We originally got involved in the project last year, bringing two groups of carpentry and joinery students to work on site every week. It’s been a fantastic opportunity for our students to see what it is really like working on a building site. They begin with a health and safety induction and are then put to work on whichever tasks need doing so they’ve been able to work on the houses at each stage of the build. The volunteer co-ordinator and the site manager run a tight ship so the students gain first-hand experience of the exacting standards of work expected in the trades they’re hoping to enter. The experience they get here definitely enhances their employability and their CVs. It gives them so much to talk to employers about when they are interviewed for jobs.”
The new homes at the Kingsley Road site are being built on land donated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and in partnership with national care and housing provider Sanctuary Group who are providing almost £2million to help develop the remaining 23 houses. The development is scheduled for completion in autumn 2015 and HPBC are already searching for their next site.
Liza Parry, Chief Executive of HPBC said:
“It has been great to have the Hugh Baird College students involved in this build. They’ve been a credit to the College and their tutors and we hope the partnership between the College and HPBC will continue when we begin our next project. Aside from building much needed new homes and creating new communities, our ultimate aim at HPBC is to improve quality of life by unlocking human potential and empowering people to work and succeed together. By working with us, I hope that the students have not just gained practical skills but have enriched their life skills and seen the value of community involvement.”
As a part of the celebrations for the key handover, the Hugh Baird College students even had a few minutes in the spotlight when they were amongst the guests filmed for BBC North West Tonight:
If you would like to find out how you could lay the foundations for your career in construction, why not visit the Construction and Engineering course pages on the Hugh Baird College website or call the Student Advice team on 0151 353 4444.
To see photos of the students working at Kingsley Road, click here.
Fourth national award for unique Liverpool homes
A LIVERPOOL housing charity has just won its fourth national award in less than 12 months and been named as a finalist in a fifth UK scheme.
The latest accolade to find its way into the trophy cabinet at Housing People, Building Communities, is a National Housing Award for Most Innovative or Specialist Scheme.
A LIVERPOOL housing charity has just won its fourth national award in less than 12 months and been named as a finalist in a fifth UK scheme.
Pictured at the National Housing Awards, l-r, Patrick Kielty, Mark Birkin, of Sanctuary Group, HPBC trustee Jim Gill, Linda Storey of category sponsor Penningtons Manches, and Sanctuary’s Andrew White.
The latest accolade to find its way into the trophy cabinet at Housing People, Building Communities, is a National Housing Award for Most Innovative or Specialist Scheme.
The unique project, which combines an element of self-build with volunteering and corporate philanthropy to deliver low-cost homes off Kingsley Road, Toxteth, has also been shortlisted in the Affordable Housing Scheme category of the 24 Housing Awards.
The National Housing Awards are supported by the National Housing Federation and the Homes & Communities Agency. HPBC trustee Jim Gill and representatives of the charity’s delivery partner Sanctuary Group attended the ceremony in London, which was hosted by comedian and TV personality Patrick Kielty.
On winning the award, Jim Gill said: “The national recognition for our houses over the last 12 months has been unbelievable and is testimony to the hard work of our staff, home partners, volunteers and corporate supporters.
“We work in a very unique way – our home partners spend 500 hours helping to build their own homes in return for a £10,000 discount – and the work we are doing has attracted the attention of a lot of influential people, including the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Self-Build, Custom-Build and Independent Housebuilding.
“We’ve had wonderful help along the way from very many organisations, among them Sanctuary Group, Liverpool City Council, major construction companies including ISG, building products manufacturer Wienerberger and even the 75 Engineer regiment of the Territorial Army, who helped build our road. We’ve also hosted thousands of volunteers on site who’ve learned new skills and gained valuable experience while helping to build our homes.”
The National Housing Awards submission was made jointly with Sanctuary Group, which is investing almost £2m in the 23 remaining homes at Kingsley Road and providing additional hands-on support.
The Liverpool charity is now looking ahead to the 24 Housing awards – organised by social housing sector magazine 24 Housing – which will be presented in Birmingham on November 6. But before then its next major achievement will be welcoming the latest set of home partners to their completed properties at the Kingsley Road site.
Liverpool homes win national recognition and political allies
A SCHEME of 32 low-cost homes in Liverpool is fast becoming the UK’s most decorated and talked about social housing project.
The Housing People, Building Communities development off Kingsley Road, Toxteth, has just been shortlisted for an award which, if successful, will be its fourth national trophy in less than 12 months; proof that this relatively small project is having a major impact.
A SCHEME of 32 low-cost homes in Liverpool is fast becoming the UK’s most decorated and talked about social housing project.
HPBC’s homes are built largely by volunteers, including the home partners themselves. Home partner Joyce Msiska (ctr) with two French students currently volunteering on site, Anais Lameira (left) and Angelique Brouard.
The Housing People, Building Communities development off Kingsley Road, Toxteth, has just been shortlisted for an award which, if successful, will be its fourth national trophy in less than 12 months; proof that this relatively small project is having a major impact.
The Liverpool charity has also caught the attention of MPs from all parties. Chief executive Liza Parry and chair Rev Canon Shannon Ledbetter have just visited Berlin as guests of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Self-Build, Custom-Build and Independent Housebuilding, following a personal invitation by its chair, Richard Bacon MP.
The delegation, which also included representatives of the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), the Scottish Parliament and UK housing associations, saw nine exemplar community build projects in the German city and learnt how communities in Berlin are working together to tackle the shortage of affordable and sustainable homes.
Liza was also recently invited to present on HPBC’s community engagement aspects at a consultation entitled ‘Scaling up Community Housing Solutions in the UK’, held at Windsor Castle and chaired by Lord Richard Best OBE.
HPBC’s project, which combines self-build, volunteering and corporate philanthropy to create much-needed affordable housing, is now a finalist in the Most Innovative /Specialist Solution category of the 2014 National Housing Awards. It’s competing against much larger organisations, including Affinity Sutton, Thames Valley Housing and Viridian Housing, and the winner will be announced on September 11, in London.
Chief executive Liza Parry said: “What makes our project so innovative is the fact that future home owners spend at least 500 hours helping to build the properties in return for a £10,000 discount on the cost of their homes. They work alongside volunteers who come from all over the world to gain experience, learn new skills or simply give something back to society; and they use products, services and materials that have been donated by some of the biggest corporate names.
'Self-build has risen up the political agenda and in his 2014 budget statement the Chancellor reinforced a Government target to increase output by 100% over the next decade. Whilst our project is not a traditional self-build scheme, the 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’ that we incorporate is an interesting variation that has caught the attention of politicians and housing experts alike.'
The National Housing Awards submission was made jointly with Sanctuary Group, which is investing almost £2m in the 23 remaining homes at Kingsley Road and providing additional hands-on support.
Helen Wright, project director for Sanctuary Group, said: 'Providing affordable homes for people in need is at the core of Sanctuary’s charitable purpose so we are delighted to be able to support this project.
'Developments like this are a great example of what can be achieved through collaborative working. This exciting project is not only helping people get a foot on the property ladder, it is giving those involved the chance to learn valuable new skills, strengthen relationships within the community and create a real sense of pride.'
The latest shortlisting follows hot on the heels of the Kingsley Road scheme winning best community led initiative at the 2014 UK Housing Awards and best housing alliance at the First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards; while late last year it was named best community initiative at the Housebuilder Awards.
For more on becoming a home owner, volunteer or supporter of Housing People, Building Communities, email liza@hpbc.org.uk.
Volunteering to build new homes can cement new skills
JUNE 1-7th is the 30th anniversary of Volunteers’ Week*. Individuals or organisations looking for a new volunteer experience in the north west of England should consider the Housing People, Building Communities project in Liverpool.
The award winning housing charity offers a unique opportunity for people to help build new homes on a live building site – learning new skills, gaining confidence, meeting new people, improving communications, boosting their CV or simply giving something back to society.
JUNE 1-7th is the 30th anniversary of Volunteers’ Week*. Individuals or organisations looking for a new volunteer experience in the north west of England should consider the Housing People, Building Communities project in Liverpool.
ISG Project Director, Frank Joyce at the HPBC site
The award winning housing charity offers a unique opportunity for people to help build new homes on a live building site – learning new skills, gaining confidence, meeting new people, improving communications, boosting their CV or simply giving something back to society.
The charity keeps the cost of its homes down through the use of volunteers – including 500 hours spent working on site by those who will eventually living in one of the 32 homes.
Liza Parry, chief executive said: 'Our volunteers are a mix of individuals, students, corporate volunteers and community, interest and faith groups. They get involved in nearly all aspects of construction under the supervision of our qualified site staff. Over the years we’ve welcomed more than 12,000 volunteers to our Kingsley Road site, many of them coming from overseas to experience our unique project.'
Throughout 2013, the site hosted around 1,200 volunteers - 350 of them from overseas - who between them contributed almost 8,000 hours. The charity is hoping to exceed those totals in 2014.
Among those who’ve volunteered in recent weeks is a group of 30 project team members led by ISG, the company responsible for the construction of over £50 million worth of projects at the new Exhibition Centre Liverpool development, located at ACC Liverpool. They’re now planning a second team-build day on June 12.
Frank Joyce, ISG’s project director, commented: “The opportunity to combine a team-building session with putting something back into the community proved a perfect and rewarding combination for all participants. We always look to support local charitable initiatives in the areas where we work, and it was an excellent opportunity for many of us to use our built environment expertise on such an important project. We received great feedback from all those involved and look forward to supporting the charity again in June.”
International volunteers this year have included a group from the Emmanuel International Church, in Paris, who spent five days working on the site; and the charity regularly hosts French students from La Rochelle Business School and the Engineering University in Paris. Others helping out on the building site have included Wirral school teachers and construction apprentices from Hugh Baird College.
Liza added: “Ideal candidates for volunteering with HPBC include students looking to gain valuable work experience, HR managers in search of a novel team-building exercise for their staff, and unemployed or retired joiners, plumbers, electricians, etc, looking to keep their skills honed. However we also have opportunities for individuals or groups of people simply looking to do something productive and worthwhile with their spare time.”
To find out more contact Liza Parry, tel: 0151 707 9440, email: liza@hpbc.org.uk.
* Volunteers’ Week is an annual event which takes place on 1-7 June. It celebrates the contribution made by millions of volunteers across the UK. It’s run by NCVO in partnership with Volunteer Development Scotland, Volunteer Now (Northern Ireland) and Wales Council for Voluntary Action.