Lyvennet Homes Transfer To Eden Housing

The voluntary Board of the Lyvennet Community Trust (LCT) has announced an agreement with Eden Housing Association (EHA) to secure the long?term future of their homes at Stoneworks Garth in Crosby Ravensworth.

LCT concluded that transferring ownership and management of the homes to a larger housing association would best support tenants and ensure that the scheme’s local occupancy requirements continue to be protected.

David Graham, Chair of the LCT Directors and Trustees, said; “Eden Housing Association was the natural choice. They supported LCT from the earliest stages of planning and development, and they have managed all day?to?day housing and tenant services since the homes were first let. Our tenants have always dealt with EHA staff, so the transfer has been a seamless transition that provides ongoing security of tenure.”

The journey began when the Crosby Ravensworth Housing Steering Group was formed to explore how a Community Land Trust model could deliver affordable homes for the communities in Crosby Ravensworth Parish in the Lyvennet Valley. This work led to the creation of the Lyvennet Community Trust in January 2009 and the Stoneworks Garth development comprising 10 homes was officially opened on 27 October 2012 by Rory Stewart, then MP for Penrith and The Border.

Reflecting on the Trust’s work, David added “LCT has always benefited from a strong, skilled Board drawn from the local community. Over the years, 14 people have served as Directors, and we are proud to still have six of our original Board Members. There have been many highlights, but one stands out. After 18 months of lobbying for Government funding through Housing Associations, we finally received word from our MP in November 2010 that we had secured £660,000—though with several conditions. Within just four and a half months, we had to acquire the site, appoint an architect, secure planning permission, tender the build, appoint a contractor, and arrange £1.45m in bridging finance. We achieved it with just 24 hours to spare.”

He added that the most memorable moment for the Board was “the handover of keys to our first tenants in mid?2012.”

Douglas Ross, Chair of Eden Housing Association, commented “EHA is delighted that LCT has entrusted us with the long-term future of their homes and we look forward to continuing to provide quality affordable housing in Crosby Ravensworth”.

EHA & LCT – (l to r) – David Graham LCT Chair, Chris Fawcett EHA CX, Karen Winder LCT Director & tenant, Jenny Everingham EHA Director of Operations, Doug Ross EHA Chair, Stuart Roberts LCT Director and tenant