Lawson Estate SE London UK - Community Housing Industry Association NSW

Lawson Estate, Southeast London

At a glance

Location type: Urban housing development

Residents: Many tenants have lived on the estate their entire lives, with some moving between other JMB-managed estates.

Stock size and type: 28 blocks and individual houses, totalling over 500 properties. The housing stock varies widely, with buildings dating from the 1830s to recent developments. This includes a mix of flats, maisonettes, townhouses, and studios.

Background

Leathermarket Joint Management Board (JMB) is Southwark’s largest resident-managed housing organisation, managing 1,500 homes across Borough and Bermondsey. The Lawson Estate has a strong sense of community, characterised by its family-oriented environment. The estate’s resident group; Lawson Estate Tenants and Residents Association (LETRA) is crucial in organising community activities and addressing residents’ concerns.

The Lawson Estate faces challenges related to anti-social behaviour (ASB). Leathermarket JMB collaborates closely with the police, adhering to the Secured by Design policy to ensure property safety.
The organisation also works with StreetLink and local charity Fast 58 to address rough sleeping issues.

Resident Services Officer

Residents have access to a Resident Services Officer (RSO) who attends monthly meetings to provide updates on repairs, report any nuisance or unruly behaviour, and offer feedback on issues raised by residents. This regular interaction fosters accountability and ensures that residents are informed about actions to address their concerns.

Resident Engagement Officer

Furthermore tenants also have access to support from a Resident Engagement Officer who conducts estate-wise consultations about JMB policies and assists with promoting local news and updates in the JMB newsletter and social media.

• Strong resident involvement The Lawson Estate LETRA is crucial in organising community activities and addressing residents’ concerns.

• Community spaces The Roundhouse Hall and other key spaces support various communal activities, fostering community cohesion including staffing, at very local level to support communities.

• Resident support Leathermarket JMB provides funding and staff assistance to support resident-led initiatives and community improvement projects.

• Safety and accountability Collaboration with the police and adherence to safety policies ensure the estate’s security. Regular updates and a “You said, we did” approach build trust with residents.

• Affordable housing development The Leathermarket CBS has successfully developed new affordable housing on the estate, addressing local housing needs.

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This project was made possible by funds provided by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) under the NSW Community Housing Industry Development Strategy (IDS). The NSW Community Housing IDS is a partnership between CHIA NSW and DCJ.