Action plan for social housing spaces

CABE and the National Housing Federation, in partnership with Neighbourhoods Green, have produced a practical action plan to help social landlords provide more opportunities for residents to enjoy the space on their doorsteps and meet their neighbours in a safe and pleasant environment.

Decent homes need decent spaces identifies ten priorities to improve the quality of the green spaces on social housing estates.

These include committing to high quality spaces and to long term maintenance; ensuring improvements are led by residents’ priorities; addressing the needs of children (up to half the population on social housing estates); and promoting healthy living. The action plan advises making places safer: fear about personal safety affects use of open space, especially within black and minority ethnic communities.

The action plan advises taking a joined-up approach – for instance mapping space to decide what improvements are needed; involving partnerships to generate funding; and involving tenants in the creation and management of their spaces.  All improvements can provide training opportunities: 25 per cent of social landlords report significant shortages of skilled gardeners and specialist staff such as landscape architects.

The action plan includes examples of good practice and leads landlords to further information and advice. Sheffield Homes, with support from CABE, has embraced a new design-led approach to play on its estates. Work has started on Sheffield Homes’ first natural play area and tenants have been involved in fundraising for more opportunities. Groundwork in Manchester and Salford has improved the design and management of local alleyways that used to be a magnet for antisocial behaviour.

The Neighbourhoods Green partnership will work with social landlords to take forward the actions in the plan.

Sarah Gaventa, Director of Public Space at CABE, said:

‘Too many inner city communities are missing out on the health and wellbeing benefits of quality green space close to home. Social landlords need to create open spaces that residents are proud of and can enjoy - from exciting play areas to restful gardens.’

Notes to editors

• Decent homes need decent spaces can be downloaded from www.cabe.org.uk/publications/decent-homes-need-decent-spaces
• Community green: using local spaces to tackle inequality and improve health found people view green space as a key service, alongside housing, education and policing. Yet less than one per cent of people living in social housing reported they use the green space on their estate.
• For images or if you would like to be put in touch with social landlords who have committed to improving the open spaces on their estates, please contact Dominy Bird on 020 7070 6772 or email dbird@cabe.org.uk
• Neighbourhoods Green aims to highlight the importance of green spaces for residents of social housing. Over 30 social housing providers are involved in the partnership, which is supported by CABE, National Housing Federation, Natural England, Peabody, Green Flag Plus Partnership, Groundwork UK, Landscape Institute and the Wildlife Trusts.
• CABE is the government’s advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. As a public body, we encourage policymakers to create places that work for people. We help local planners apply national design policy and offer expert advice to developers and architects. We show public sector clients how to commission buildings that meet the needs of their users. And we seek to inspire the public to demand more from their buildings and spaces. Advising, influencing and inspiring, we work to create well-designed, welcoming places. www.cabe.org.uk
• The National Housing Federation represents 1,200 housing associations in England and is the voice of affordable housing. Housing associations are independent, not-for-profit businesses that provide the majority of the nation's social housing. Together our members provide two and a half million affordable homes for five million people. www.housing.org.uk