Frustrated South Londoners who couldn’t afford to buy in the capital took matters into their own hands by designing their own homes.
Residents moving into the newly completed Citizens House in Sydenham got onto the property ladder by buying their homes through a Community Land Trust [CLT], where locals own a patch of land together and develop it to meet their needs.
Families picking up the keys to their newly completed homes in the 11 flat block have paid around a third less than average because the CLT links house prices to local incomes, even in the future when residents sell up.
Those involved in the process from the start were able to pick the architects for their new homes, have a say on who should be their future neighbours and choose their own kitchen worktops.
Alex Ingram, 41, who moved into his one-bed flat in the development in February, paid £215,000 for his home.
Similar one-bed apartments in the area are listed on Rightmove for at least £350,000.
Mr Ingram, a civil servant, said until recently he feared he would have to leave London to be able to get on to the property ladder.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I was getting to the stage where I never thought I’d be able to buy and stay in London.
"I got priced out of West London and I came to South East London in 2014 because a lot of my friends were coming down and it was more affordable but the prices kept going up.
“The move here was my third since the end of 2020 and the moves were getting harder and harder each time.
"I’ve finally been able to unpack all my stuff from boxes.
"It has been interesting realising the degree to which what I feel able to do has been shaped by how much space I’ve had.
“The little bits have gotten a lot easier, being able to cook in the kitchen when I get in late and work on projects.
"I’ve slowly been able to write again.
"I’ve found that difficult for a long time because I’d get all the stuff I’d been researching but trying to organise it on the bed was impossible. I didn’t have the space.”
Before landing on CLTs, Mr Ingham considered shared ownership – where a person buys a share of a property and pays rent on the remaining value – but felt it lacked the security he yearned for.
He stumbled on the London Community Land Trust [London CLT] – which developed the Sydenham flats – after researching his options online.
The block, known as Citizens House, was 10 years in the making, beginning as a campaign by community group Lewisham Citizens for more affordable housing in the borough. Since 2013, almost 500 local residents have joined London CLT.
The land the block of flats sits on was previously largely disused garages that were too small for modern vehicles.
Lewisham Council provided the land to locals so they could deliver the flats.
Christian Codjoe, 30, who is due to pick up the keys for a two-bed flat in the block this week, paid £272,500 for his apartment, over £150,000 cheaper than similar-sized flats in the area listed on Rightmove.
Mr Codjoe, a project manager, said he would have expected to continue renting well into his late 30s if it wasn’t for the CLT.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I’ve lived in Lewisham borough my whole life but I thought I would have to buy outside, somewhere like Croydon, because of the prices.
“I found out about the scheme on the GLA [Greater London Authority] website but there weren’t any available at the time.
"Later I found out there were two available and I applied. I had to give a lot of information about my connection with the borough and community involvement.”
He added: “The thing I like about the CLT is the community aspect. The Lewisham community is the main driver for me.
"This is also a much quieter area than where I live near a busy road in New Cross and having that change will be a good thing I think.”
Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham, said: “Citizens House in Sydenham is Lewisham’s first completed community land trust development.
"Eleven new homes have been built, all of them at permanently affordable rates.
"It’s a great project and I’m pleased the council was able to release land to work with London CLT, Lewisham Citizens and the GLA to make it a reality.”
Oliver Bulleid, executive director of London CLT said: “It’s an exciting time for London CLT – Citizens House is our first direct housing project and shows that communities working together and with support from Lewisham Council and the GLA, can identify development opportunities and then work constructively together to make them happen.”
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