'Model’ housing project with community facilities launched » Housing » 24dash.com

 
A ‘model’ new resource centre for local charities and community groups has been officially opened at the site of a housing regeneration project in London.

The former site of the UK’s ‘worst cinema’, as voted for by BBC Watchdog viewers, has been transformed into a  flagship community resource centre and 36 shared ownership homes in West Ealing, by Dominion Housing  Group.  

The Ealing Community Resource Centre at Lido House provides shared accommodation and facilities for eighteen charities and offers help and support to their users, including those with disabilities, refugees, older, vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community.

The launch of the centre, within a £10m affordable housing development, follows last month’s call for housing providers to build integrated, cohesive and sustainable communities, by Steve Douglas, Deputy Chief Executive of the Housing Corporation.

The purpose-built centre enables charities to reduce their costs and improve their efficiency by sharing facilities and buying power, including a shared reception, meeting rooms, hi-tech equipment, and IT infrastructure, with internet access and a digital telephone system.

The one and two bedroom apartments above the centre have also been a great success, with all of 36 homes reserved on the first day of viewing.

Cllr Ian Green, Cabinet Member for Adult Services & Housing at Ealing Borough Council, said: “This scheme will serve as a catalyst for the regeneration of the rest of the area, which the council is committed to supporting.

“It also demonstrates a creative and dynamic relationship with a housing association which should be modelled elsewhere.”

Adrian Cave, Chair of the Ealing Community Resource Centre and a former board member of Acton Housing Association, part of the Dominion Housing Group, said: “The new resource centre has already proved to be a highly significant innovation for local voluntary organisations and the services they provide. The project is also a notable example of the contribution which housing associations can and should make to community development in areas where they provide residential accommodation.

“I am delighted that this partnership between Dominion Housing Group and the voluntary sector has proven to be so successful.”

Susan Price, Chair of Dominion Housing Group, said: “We’ve been more than happy to develop a resource centre especially for charities and community groups in Ealing. We’re constantly on the look out for opportunities to support and promote community development activities like this.”

The Ealing Community Resource Centre is the result of successful partnerships with Dominion Housing Group, Ealing Council for Voluntary Service and Ealing Community Resource Centre. Its major funders include Capacity Builders, the Big Lottery, City Parochial Foundation, City Bridge Trust, Ealing Council, British Airways Authority, Ealing & Brent Consolidated Charity and local businesses.

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