Phoenix Community Housing is a housing association that owns 5,500 tenancies and 850 leaseholds in London. It was set up in 2007 when residents voted to transfer housing stock from Lewisham Council due to a lack of investment. Phoenix promises to improve all homes to a high standard within 5 years using gap funding, loans, and rental income. In addition to providing housing, Phoenix aims to be more than just a landlord through community programs. Its new headquarters includes facilities like a training kitchen, credit union, cafe, and event space to serve local residents.

1. Introduction to Phoenix
Community Housing
July 2012
Jim Ripley
Chief Executive

2. Who We Are
 5,500 tenancies and 850 leaseholders
55% houses 45% flats
77% built before 1940
 Why Phoenix
Historic lack of investment and £100m gap
Lewisham couldn't afford to achieve Decent Homes standard
Residents didn't want ALMO or transfer to RSL
Residents inspired by Preston Gateway
Set up shadow Board
Ballot 2006 Yes 2023 (67.9%)
No 920 (30.9%)
Spoilt 33 (1.1%)
Transfer 3 December 2007

3. Where We Are
 100 different languages spoken in our areas
 45% of our residents have a family member with a disability
 Phoenix have six LSOA’s with incomes in the lowest 10% across
England
 Over 80% of homes are in receipt of benefits
 High percentage of vulnerable residents

4. Promises
 The Phoenix standard in 5 years paid for by
 £42m gap funding
 £70m loan from Barclays
 £25m rent & service charge income a year
 More than just a landlord

5. Governance
 Owned by our members –2100 shareholders, 700 Gold
members, 100 staff associate members.
 Phoenix are the only Housing Association in London to use
the Community Gateway approach
 The Gateway approach empowers tenants and leaseholders
to take a central part in decision-making and become
shareholding members
 Tenants and leaseholders are elected by residents and form
the largest group on the board; 6 tenants, 1 leaseholder, 5
independents, 3 councillors
 The Chair and Vice Chair of the Phoenix Board are tenants
 Phoenix Residents Group and 12 Area Panels – each with
own budget of £5k a year

7. Add festival photos

8. Some highlights
 Will have spent £120m improving our homes by
April 2013
 Recently celebrated our 4,000th internal
improvement
 18 months 100% gas servicing
 SAP rating improved from 60 to 70
 Will complete the promises on target
 AGM, over 250 attended Broadway theatre

17. Our new HQ and the community
 At the time of transfer 150 Phoenix staff and contractors worked
from five small offices
 We promised our residents that we would construct our own HQ:
 In the heart of our area
 Provided a wide range of services to the community
 Land swop with L&Q

20. Training Kitchen
 A partnership with Lewisham
Council’s Children & Young
Peoples Directorate Training Kitchen
 Catering staff will be trained
and go on to work in
Lewisham’s schools and
further education facilities
 Provide vocational training
for secondary school children
and adults
 Offer the community
focussed courses

21. The Lewisham
Plus Credit Union
 The Lewisham Plus Credit are
also a membership organisation
 The Credit Union provide ethical
and affordable finance
 Have over 8,000 members in the
Boroughs of Lewisham and
Bromley
Credit Union
 Their relocation will also place
them in the heart of the
community they serve

22. Community Café &
Pop up Restaurant
 There is no local café
 Our café & restaurant will be
used by Phoenix staff and
visitors to the building
 Partnership with Training For
Life, Phoenix & Lewisham
Cafe
 Provide affordable food and
drink
 10 apprentices a year
 Healthy & affordable

23. Community Hub
 A busy market place
 Enterprise units and info
points for:
 Established local small
businesses
 College leavers
 CAB, Job Centre Plus Community Hub
 Low cost services for the
local community in return for
low or no annual rent
 Hub also used for large
gatherings or training
sessions

24. Our Barn and Market Square
 A hive of activity
 A partnership with Lewisham College to offer a local base for
learning
 Socially gatherings
 Weddings
 Family Celebrations
 Conferences
 Concerts
 Arts and Crafts
 Theatre and Cinema and Comedy
 Clubs – Chess, Bridge etc
 Farmers market

25. The Phoenix Festival
 Our annual May day festival.
 Celebration of local culture
 Focus on taking part and having fun
 Attracted over 6,500 people
 Opportunity for community groups to come together
 We hope to capture this spirit in our new place!
And there is more...........
 The Diversity Day in October over 250 people attended this event
 Tenant Gathering in December – over 70 residents attended
workshops, spoke to our partners, met staff and had a good time.
 Summer activities for young people
 Winter University for 35 young local people
 Marton Close and Grovehill court computer training open to all
residents

29. Further Info & Contacts
 Jim Ripley – Chief Executive, Phoenix
jim.ripley@phoenixch.org.uk
 Website: www.phoenixcommunityhousing.org