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Decent Homes pilots take shape

Decent Homes pilot kitchen example Over 200 homes are set to benefit from Decent Homes works in the next six months. Four pilot schemes, the first of which kicked off in April, will see the refurbishment of tenants’ kitchens and bathrooms to a high standard and include, new wall tiling, flooring, extractor fans, shower heads and rewiring.

Works are underway at three of the four pilots at Trinidad and Grenada Houses in Poplar, Wexford and Mayo Houses in Stepney and Donegal and Sovereign Houses in Bethnal Green, all of which have show flats.

“Each show flat has a new kitchen and bathroom so that residents can see what they look like first hand,” said Gavin Cansfield, Tower Hamlets Homes Chief Executive.
“We’ve had lots of residents drop by and say how pleased they are with the standard of the works.”

Kitchen display Residents have been involved in the schemes from the start through drop-in sessions and meetings. They’ve also been invited to look at the different colour schemes for the kitchen units, worktops, floor and wall tiles, and choose the colours they want.

“We’ve been listening to what residents have been telling us and using their comments to improve the schemes as we go along,” said Carol Farnum, Tower Hamlets Homes Resident Liaison Co-ordinator. Decent homes pilot wc example

“We were concerned that some residents, particularly the elderly, were hesitant about having contractors in their home ripping up their kitchen and bathrooms. We’ve set up respite areas in the show flats so residents can take a break from the works, grab a cup of tea and chat to their neighbours. We’ve also provided a number of portacabins, which can be used as additional respite areas.” Decent homes bathroom example

The show flats are open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday and some evenings and weekends depending on local demand.

A fourth pilot is being developed at Lister and Treves Houses in Bethnal Green.

There are no empty properties available in either of these blocks, which means we’re unable to set up a show flat. Instead, we’re planning to set up a portacabin which will have a respite area for residents and the different kitchen colour schemes on display.