Summerfield in Ladywood is Family’s largest concentration of housing stock. In 2004, local residents formed a Summerfield Residents Association with the aim to make Summerfield a thriving community. They were particularly keen to reduce household turnover, improve the local environment and tackle ‘eco’ issues in order to encourage a more cohesive and sustainable community.
Driven by the local residents’ enthusiasm, we worked with Birmingham City Council, Be Birmingham and Urban Living, (the Birmingham / Sandwell Housing Market Renewal Area Pathfinder) to secure funding and deliver a range of innovative environmental improvements to the area, including:
Boundary wall and ‘green up’ front garden project for all residents.
329 low income owner occupied houses fitted with ‘free’ eco installations.
Trainee work placements for 20 local unemployed residents.
6 Victorian properties de-converted from flats into large eco family homes and rented to social housing tenants.
Eco Office with demonstration technologies and advice established at the local Church Hall.
Engagement of local school children in eco issues through the Housing Education Initiative.
Sharing best practice - hosted over 2000 visitors to Summerfield from other local communities in Birmingham, the wider city-region and also from other parts of the UK.
Visit www.oursummerfield.info for information on local services and community news.