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News
Aylesbury rehousing and leaseholder policies adopted
27 September 2006
A major milestone in the redevelopment of the Aylesbury Estate was reached last night when Southwark Council formally adopted rehousing and leaseholder policies for the scheme.
The decisions, approved by the executive committee on September 26, set out a framework for offering existing tenants and leaseholders accommodation that suits their needs.
A key aspect of the policies specifically focuses on what options will be available for tenants with larger properties. Similar to the Heygate redevelopment, some households moving from these larger properties will be allocated a home with an extra bedroom.
The Aylesbury Estate will be knocked down in stages and replaced with approximately 2,200 homes for rent and a further 2,700 homes for sale or shared ownership.
The rehousing and leaseholder policies for the estate were put together by the council, with strong input from residents, who met on a monthly basis.
Councillor Richard Thomas, executive member for regeneration, said: “This is a major step forward to redeveloping the area to provide the quality homes that local people deserve.
“The input of Aylesbury residents in the formulation of the policies has been invaluable and is a good example of Southwark Council and the community working closely to ensure their needs are met.”
Resident Jean Bartlett added: "I truly believe this is an historic moment. When the Council agreed last year to redevelop, they said they would work in true partnership with us. By working in this way they have produced a policy that residents can be proud of."
Key aspects of the Aylesbury rehousing policy are:
* 2,200 new homes will be built and managed by housing associations. Assessment of residents housing needs will inform the size and type of new properties to be built, and will ensure there are sufficient properties to rehouse all tenants who select this option.
* All tenants will be asked to decide which rehousing route they would like to follow: either moving to a new housing association property, or to existing council housing within the borough. To ensure the council can make decisions for everybody, this decision is binding.
* Tenants involved in the first phase of the development will be rehoused in new homes near the current estate, funded by the Housing Corporation, or at a site on the current footprint of the estate. They will be offered the option of returning to the development as properties become available.
* Secure tenants being rehoused by the council as part of the redevelopment will be entitled to compensation for the loss of their home. This is known as ‘Home Loss’ and is currently fixed at £4,000. Southwark Council will cover the cost of removals, disconnections and reconnections.
The leaseholder policy is based on the one adopted for the neighbouring Heygate Estate. Key aspects of the leaseholder policy are:
* Leaseholders will be entitled to the open market value of the property and either a home loss payment of 10 per cent or a basic loss payment of 7.5 per cent. Home loss is paid where the owner has lived at the property for at least one year prior to the date of an acquisition. Basic loss is paid where the owner does not live at the property, and has owned it for more than one year.
- Leaseholders will also be reimbursed by the council for costs associated with the move.
Options for leaseholders:
1 Purchase of a property of their choice in any location.
2 The purchase of a shared ownership home that meets their housing need (where the compensation and other savings is used to purchase at least 50 per
cent of the equity of the home and the owner pays rent on the rest).
3 The purchase of a retained equity home equivalent to their existing property (when the compensation and other savings is used to purchase at least 80 per cent of the equity of the home and a charge is placed on the property).
4 Moving to a council property of equal value.
5 Alternative acquisition - the property will be purchased at a reduced value and the owner will become a tenant of the property with rights to rehousing.
Notes to Editors
1. The redevelopment of the Aylesbury site will not just focus on housing. In addition, a range of community facilities including health/medical facilities, community facilities, youth facilities and open spaces will be upgraded or constructed as part of the development.
2. The council is fully committed to maintaining the current buildings and communal areas throughout the regeneration process, and will invest in appropriate security and community safety measures to ensure residents feel secure.
3. The Aylesbury New Deal for Communities (NDC) is a regeneration initiative with £56 million to invest on the estate over a 10 year period. It aims to remove barriers to achievement that many local residents experience in their day-to- day lives. Local residents have identified their main concerns as employment, the local economy, education, health, housing, the environment, crime, and community safety. The Aylesbury NDC works to empower residents to achieve their goals, and with Southwark Council and other agencies to assist in this process.
