Residents Graduate From UK’s Only Social Housing School

The first residents have graduated from the UK's only dedicated school of social housing. The Phoenix Academy was launched in April by south London social landlord Phoenix Community Housing to encourage tenant and leaseholder involvement and grow board members of the future. The Phoenix Academy covered a wide range of subjects, from the history of social housing to housing finance, and different types of governance to the development of construction techniques since Phoenix’s original stock was built in the early 1920s. Read more on 24dash.

Housing Co-Op Planning To Tackle Empty Homes

A housing co-operative is looking to remedy the problem of empty houses in its area by transforming unused buildings into affordable housing. Phoenix Housing Co-operative has almost completed the renovation of a disused property to provide studio flats for some of its members. Under the co-op’s Housing Plus project the property, which was left empty for over five years, has been converted into nine studio flats for single people on low-incomes. Phoenix is now looking to speak to owners of private property who would be willing to offer a 10-year lease in return for the co-op renovating the building and providing much needed affordable accommodation. Phoenix are currently planning to put in a bid for the Community Grants programme within the HCA’s Empty Property Fund. Read more about the Housing Plus project on the Phoenix website.