Forum Topics

Housing for Acton Families – through a Community Land Trust

Central Acton Neighbourhood Area [CANForum] was designated by Ealing Council. Through the Central Acton Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP), we are keen to address the issue of affordable family housing for local people through a Community Land Trust where housing products are for homeownership, shared ownership or for rent, and where the underlying aim will be to ensure the homes will be affordable in perpetuity.  CANForum commissioned AECOM Ltd. to carry out a Housing Needs Survey, the outcome demonstrates a need for both social-affordable rental family housing, and affordable family home ownership. There is also a requirement for larger homes for multi-generational families. Ealing currently has a housing waiting list of 8 years for a three-bedroom social tenancy and 15 years for a four-bedroom tenancy.  To make these properties affordable they would be self-build and partial self-build with a mixture, probably 50/50 split of build to own and build to rent, tied to local salaries and local social housing rents. The rental properties with a lifetime tenancy and the opportunity to pass on the tenancy to a named direct descendant.  Build to own properties could only be sold on at price based on average local earnings. CANForum has no capital to purchase this land but by setting up a Community Land Trust (CLT) it could be acquired through a government backed £300m Community Housing Fund and other charitable concerns.  Families living in the CANForum area would be considered first for this exciting project, followed by greater Acton and then the rest of the borough. As soon as public meetings are allowed, we will be holding a workshop to give more information about this exciting project. To continue with this project, however, we need support from the community so please go to the Council’s Consultation page: https://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201162/planning_policy/2784/consultation_on_establishing_a_neighbourhood_planning_areaforum_in_central_acton CANForum - https://canforum.org.uk/Some examples of similar projects: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/sep/16/anarchism-community-walter-segal-self-build-south-london-estate https://coinstreet.org/about-us/our-developments/  https://www.londonclt.org/st-clement-s  http://www.forevergreen.org.uk/Forever_Green_Ecological_Architects/hedgehog-self-build-housing-co-op.html  We are looking for two more residents to join CANForum to work on this exciting CLT project, if you are interested please email: secretary@canforum.org.uk

Libby Kemp ● 2003d0 Comments ● 2003d

Polish Heritage Days 2021

You are cordially invited to join in the celebrations to mark the Polish Heritage Days 2021 sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London. Together with the Acton History Group and the Polish Educational Society, Talking and Exploring and the Ealing Walking,Talking and Exploring Group will run four online sessions on Polish themes:Sunday, May 2nd, at 7pm:  Polish Identity & History, with special reference to migration to the UK and the work of Polish community groups here. Sunday, May 9th at 7pm: The Second World War and after. Polish involvement in the UK, in the Middle East and worldwide.Sunday, May 16th at 7pm:  Polish & English Cultural Matters – exploring links in literature, art & music as well as folk/religious celebrations.Sunday, May 23rd at 7pm:  Places with Polish Connections in Acton, Ealing & elsewhere in London including institutions, organisations, art galleries, museums, memorials and churches.Each on-line session will start at 7pm with a short introduction on a theme followed by a question and answer session, and a chat, where we can explore that theme in more depth in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. There will be a break half way through.These on-line meetings, which are for everyone, Polish or not, will be held using “Teams” which is a similar system to “Zoom”. To attend these meetings which are free to join, you will have to register using Eventbrite, which is a ticketing system on this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/polish-heritage-days-2021-tickets-151728019591

Amanda Knights ● 2011d0 Comments ● 2011d