Hackney’s biggest regeneration project selects Genesis Housing Group as preferred bidder

Hackney Homes and Hackney Council have announced today that Genesis Housing Group has been selected as the preferred bidder to work in partnership with the Council and a developer to take forward the Woodberry Down regeneration scheme.

Subject to a successful stock transfer ballot, possibly as early as November this year, Genesis will manage approximately 1,100 existing homes on the estate. Genesis will then replace the existing homes with new social rented homes, and add around 550 intermediate homes.

Genesis Housing Group is one of the largest housing groups nationally, owning or managing over 38,000 homes. It has considerable experience managing large regeneration schemes and building new communities.

Anu Vedi, Chief Executive of Genesis Housing Group, said: “Genesis is immensely pleased to have been selected as registered social landlord partner for the regeneration of Woodberry Down. It is especially important to us that we have been chosen by both the local people and by the Council. Genesis has considerable skills and resources and we are dedicated to working energetically with all the regeneration partners to deliver the revitalised neighbourhood and new homes that everyone seeks.”

Cllr Karen Alcock, Deputy Mayor of Hackney, said: “We are very pleased that Genesis has been selected as the preferred registered social landlord bidder for Woodberry Down, after a rigorous process to select the best possible partner. The process has involved residents throughout, and stiff competition has meant we have secured the best possible bid to take the scheme forward.”

The planned activities are:

•Genesis will get involved in developing the regeneration scheme, speaking to residents about the stock transfer ballot and what this means to residents;

•Following the stock transfer ballot, if Genesis is selected by a majority of secure tenants, it will establish a community -based housing association to enable residents from Woodberry Down to stand for election as board members and become actively involved in the management of the affordable housing.

Genesis will also invest around £3m into the local community in Woodberry Down with development programmes, funds to improve the landscaping in the area, and a programme to tackle anti-social behaviour on the estate.

Peter Naughton, Chair of the Woodberry Down Community Organisation, said: “We welcome Genesis as our registered social landlord partner in the regeneration of Woodberry Down and we very much look forward to working with them.”

Notes to Editors

•In the event of a positive stock transfer, Genesis Housing Group will establish a community-based housing association with a majority of Woodberry Down residents sitting on the board and actively managing the affordable housing.
•The Woodberry Down regeneration area is located in the northernmost part of the London Borough of Hackney
•Hackney Homes, on behalf of the London Borough of Hackney, has established the Woodberry Down Regeneration Team to take forward the regeneration of the area. The team covers all aspects of the area’s regeneration to ensure that the goal of delivering a world-class development with the necessary infrastructure to support and sustain a mixed community is achieved.
•Woodberry Down is one of two London schemes to be a National Demonstration Project for the Homes and Communities Agency Mixed Communities Initiative.