What a difference five years makes

Over the last five years Riverside, one of the UK’s largest housing associations, has transformed an area that was once full of empty and boarded-up properties, with anti-social behaviour, into a place where people now want to live.

Riverside set out a five year refurbishment plan when it took over the North Bransholme estate, Hull in November 2010, and now we have reached the end of this five year milestone, we have far exceeded our promises to tenants.

We have invested over £18.5 million renovating the existing homes which included installing gas central heating for the first time, installing new front and rear doors, fitting loft insulation and external insulation and fitting new kitchens and bathrooms  We’ve also built 44 new homes on the estate, the first new builds in the area for over 40 years.

We have also brought another 14 boarded-up bedsits back into use, providing one-bed apartments which received national attention due to it’s being seen as Riverside’s innovative approach to tackling “Bedroom Tax” issue.

The first sale on a scheme called Own Place was also agreed, which brings back empty properties into use to help first-time buyers onto the property ladder.   Additionally in response to tenant’s comments, the “Your Place” environmental service was also launched to tackle graffiti, fly tipping and dog fouling, as well as providing grounds maintenance works, with a dedicated Your Place Co-ordinator appointed to oversee these activities, as well as local people directly employed within the team.

Over the last five years Riverside have also invested in local community projects which range from sponsorship of local football and rugby teams, the annual beach and Halloween parties, and a local theatre group.

We have also appointed a dedicated recession-busting team, comprising an Employment and Training Officer to help tenants access volunteering, training and job opportunities; an Affordable Warmth Officer to help stamp out fuel poverty; and a Money Adviser to lessen the impact of the government’s Welfare Reform Act.

Riverside continue with their commitment to making North Bransholme a great place to live and this will see major improvements to the Ash Plantation, an ancient woodland situated on the edge of the estate. Lighting will also be installed in the recently installed skate park.

We have made a short film celebrating this milestone here :

https://youtu.be/BDlg-flVKJU

Carl Mitchell, Assistant Director Operations said “since the transfer in 2010 our customers have seen a step change in how the area looks and feels with improvements to not only the buildings in the form of the vast improvement programme, but also to the open spaces through investments made to the play parks and the newly constructed skate park which opened in 2014. 

The approach by Riverside to transform lives and revitalise neighbourhoods continues through further work on the fencing scheme and improvements and extension to the woodland area, fondly known locally as the Ash Plantation. It has been a pleasure to see the improvements made on the North Bransholme area and for all our customers to benefit from these over the past 5 years, which has culminated in less people leaving the area and more people wanting to come and live on North Bransholme.”