One million of funding has been committed by Southwark Council for independent housing advice for residents living on the condemned Aylesbury Estate.
Every year for the next decade £100,000 will be available to help support residents, whether leaseholders, tenants or those in temporary accommodation, throughout the on-going demolition and rehousing programme.
The cash is being donated to the Creation Southwark Community Interest Company, which is taking over from the Creation Trust; a charity that has worked on the estate since 2007.
In that time, more than 500 people living on the estate have been helped by its dedicated caseworkers. The charity will formally close down in April 2021 and the community interest company will take over thereafter.
The charity’s chief executive, Charlotte Benstead said: “I am delighted that the council have seen the advantage of this service and have prioritised funding. The regeneration of the Aylesbury estate offers exciting prospects, including new homes and jobs, but is also creates some challenges, particularly for the most vulnerable in our community.
“This additional funding will mean that the work can continue to make the rehousing process as good as it can possibly be, supporting residents to find new homes and getting them settled once they move.”