1. Brixton Green Brixton People Know What Brixton Needs Dinah Roake
Somerleyton Road is an important site at the heart of Brixton and we believe Brixton people should be at the forefront of this redevelopment.
Brixton Green, a non-profit, registered community-benefit mutual society, has been set up by Brixton people to make this possible.
Owned and run by locals - So far Brixton Green has engaged with over 40 local organisations and over 1,300 local citizens have become shareholders.
All our work is done by volunteers.
I am one of 12 Board members.
Dinah Roake
@brixtongreen

2. Developing homes should be about people!
Making homes and developing our streets in a way that makes peoples' lives better.

3. Delivering housing units NOT delivering homes.
Too often developments are focused on…
Delivering housing units NOT delivering homes.

4. a short term financial and governance approach.
Short term approach
Over the past 60 years, public authorities and private developers have moved towards
a short term financial and governance approach.
This short term approach:
Reduces build quality.
Squanders public assets.
When London councils sell homes, that's a lot of public assets lost.
A house in Brixton that sold for £330k in 2008 is now worth £1.2m.
Displaces and fractures communities.
Since 2008, many Brixton families have been moved out of the area and away from where they grew up.
Disrupts public and voluntary services.
e.g. the effect of recent rent increases on voluntary organizations.
Removes informal social support networks

5. The current approach to deliver affordable homes is not working
It does not deliver the homes people need at a price they can pay.
Below are a list of recent private developments:
Figures are from Patrick Smith’s article in BuzzFeed.

6. Brixton Green’s approach: 1,301 Brixton people are now shareholders
Putting people at the heart of the decisions
Back in 2008 a group of Brixton residents came together and set up an organization that is owned by an accountable to Brixton people.
1,301 Brixton people are now shareholders
is a community benefit society registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. The Brixton Green project for Somerleyton Road first started in May Some local residents came together as they felt a new way was needed for the redevelopment of Somerleyton Road, one which put Brixton people at the forefront. One which ensured Somerleyton Road was developed for benefit of Brixton people.
Brixton Green became one of ten national community share pilots and in September 2009 it became a community benefit society (previously called an industrial provident society). Over 1,200 people who live or work in Brixton have become shareholders from all parts of our community.
Between 2008 and 2013 Brixton Green worked hard to ensure a wide cross section of the community could help shape its proposals, and along with key members of Lambeth Council, worked to show it was possible for the council to work in partnership with the community to develop such a large urban site. In 2013 they succeeded, and Lambeth Council’s cabinet agreed, setting up the Somerleyton Road Project.
Brixton Green shares are available to everyone over 16 years old who live or work in Brixton. £1 per share. One vote per person. Brixton Green’s members elect the trustees and only Brixton Green members can stand for election. Each month Brixton Green’s representatives from the Somerleyton Road Project steering group report to the trustees. The trustees ensure the representatives are continuing to deliver the objectives and ambitions of the membership.
Brixton Green has carried out their work over the past six years on a voluntary basis. This has been very much Brixton people working together for the benefit of our town.

7. Solutions Brixton People have proposed
Households to pay the rent they can afford.
Do not separate social and market housing:
All the homes are built to the same standard.
Everyone has the same rights & quality of service.
People on different incomes living side by side.
Landlord to be a Community Trust
Accountable to the residents & local people.
Locking the assets for community benefit.
Guaranteeing the objectives
100% of the homes for rent
Long term approach to governance and finance

8. Households pay rent they can afford, with security
Total household income per year
Rent per month
(whether it’s a one, two , three or four bed unit)
£0 to £25,000
Same as Council Target Rents
£25,000 to £35,000
£750 per month*
£35,000 to £45,000
£1,000 per month*
£45,000 to £55,000
£1,250 per month*
£55,000 to £70,000
£1, per month*
(or market rent if lower)
Over £70,000
Market Rent
*Based on 30% of total household income. Unit sizes are allocated on household need.

9. Making homes affordable for all incomes
Further work is being done to decide the rents. The table above is to illustrate principle.

10. Homes for all ages and abilities Energy centre and sustainability
304 homes – 100% for rent
Homes for all ages and abilities
Energy centre and sustainability
Training and employment
Nursery
Community hub
Shops
Community theatre and cultural hub

11. This approach is ONLY possible with a
Community Trust!

12. This approach is ONLY possible with a
Community Trust!
Locks in affordable housing numbers
Ensures assets used for community benefit
Can deliver services and amenities, without rent increases
Not subject to changing policy of central or local government.

13. Key factors in making a community housing trust a success
Effective & accountable governance
Experienced operations team
Keeping it small
(no more than 300 or 400 homes - keeping it accountable)

14. (funded by Power to Change)
Our progress
The Somerleyton Trust was incorporated this week!
Experienced full time Transition Director will be appointed in March.
(funded by Power to Change)

15. Imagine there were a thousand community trusts in London
Helping to make sure London remained a mixed income city.
Capturing the financial value created by public property to benefit the local community, through community businesses.
Properly maintaining the buildings, so they don't have to be knocked down and rebuilt in 40 years.
Improving access to public services.
Building social cohesion, and an expectation of active participation.
Creating a backbone for neighborhoods and helping to improve the wider area.

16. Thank you
@brixtongreen
Brixton People Know What Brixton Needs