New properties new opportunities

by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
08/07/2008

Two formerly vacant homes at the front of Wormwood Scrubs Prison have been brought back into use thanks to a collaborative scheme by Hammersmith and Fulham Council, the Ministry of Justice and Dominion Housing Group.

The two properties, 15a and 15b Du Cane Road, were left empty after the prison officers living in them moved and the prison did not have enough funds to maintain and refurbish them.

Rather than leaving the properties empty and allow them to fall into further disrepair, the Governor of the prison, Stephen Metcalf, teamed up with the council and the Ministry of Justice and set about revitalising the empty homes in order to provide housing for families in need of accommodation.

Dominion Housing Group has spent £120,000, part of which has been provided by the Housing Corporation's Temporary Housing Grant, to bring the homes to a high standard and make one of the homes accessible to wheelchair users. Dominion now manages the properties and will rent them as temporary accommodation for homeless families nominated by the Council.

Cllr Lucy Ivimy Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “This scheme goes to show what can be achieved when a number of organisations join forces for the common good. I am very happy that these properties are now back in use and am sure that the families who are housed in them are also grateful. I would like to thank Wormwood Scrubs Prison and Dominion Housing Group for their assistance with this project.”

Governor Steve Metcalf said: “I am delighted that Wormwood Scrubs has been able to participate in this initiative. Such a joint project between all the agencies and more specifically the co-operation with the housing association at a local level has made the transition of the vacant homes to liveable accommodation, seamless and with little disruption. I hope to continue to work alongside Dominion Housing and Hammersmith & Fulham Council to secure future tenancies through joint projects to the benefit of our local community.”

Natasha Fearon of Dominion Housing Group, said: "We are very pleased to be working in partnership with the Council and the Ministry of Justice to bring empty homes back into use and look forward to working on similar projects "

The properties are to be let for a period of six years to Dominion Housing and at the end of the term further discussions will take place as to their continued use.