Project Managers in the Development team recently took the Homes and Communities Agency on a tour of some of our recently completed schemes.

The visits were set up so the HCA can make observations on the quality of the housing we have delivered with the grant funding provided to us by the HCA.   

The visits concentrate on the impact the scheme has made on the local community and the built environment, but the HCA also seek the opinions of new residents about their new homes and the services Family Mosaic provide to them after they have moved in.

They chose a very mixed bag of schemes, from a Stockwell YMCA hostel to a mixed-tenure development in Biggs Square, Hackney on the doorstep of the Olympic site. The client group the HCA spoke to ranged from tenants who rent from us to those who have bought a flat via shared ownership.

Residents said they overwhelmingly felt safe and secure.  They were happy in their new homes and felt communal areas were being well maintained.  Some said they were even happy to leave out children’s toys and pushchairs because they had built such positive relationships with their neighbours.

The HCA also visited the Wedmore Street Site, Islington and spoke to a resident in a wheelchair unit with demanding care requirements. It was noted that we have done an excellent job in adapting the wheelchair flat to meet very specific needs, working closely with the local Health Care Team.

Mrs S, a Biggs Square resident, occupies a two-bed wheelchair unit with her husband and adult autistic son, who is blind.  She is delighted with her new home and remarked to the HCA how the level access and specially adapted bathroom makes it much easier for them to care for their son. She noted how the scheme has already has a great community spirit.

Residents have even set up their own group and organised a fun day. Mrs S has got to know the shared owners living above her in the tower block and now takes in their parcels while they are out at work. In 2012 when the Olympic Opening Ceremony takes place they have invited her up so that they can look out from their balcony over the Olympic Park and watch the fireworks.  

Mrs S. plans to play an active role within the new residents association that has just formed on the estate.Development’s partnership with Housing Management is clearly growing ever more successful in managing our sites post-handover. The HCA were told that the schemes they visited were kept consistently clean and tidy. Car parking and rubbish collection is being well managed, and there is generally a sense of community cohesion. The Caretaker at Biggs Square got a special mention praising his commitment to keeping the area well maintained. 

Mrs A, another resident of Biggs Square commented:

“Just to let you know I am very happy in Biggs Square, some of the reasons being the quality of the actual flat and the way you, for example, send out a letter asking for people to show consideration to others in regards to rubbish etc - I like to live in a nice environment and am hoping people will take pride in Biggs Square as it is a very nice "estate". I hope this will continue to be monitored!"