A new £1m Grenfell Housing Legacy Fund for residents living in Council-owned properties or placed by the Council in temporary accommodation in Notting Dale ward, has been agreed by Kensington and Chelsea Council’s Leadership Team.
This Fund, which is part of the Council’s commitment to establishing a legacy from the Grenfell tragedy, will support projects designed and chosen by residents through a participatory budgeting process on an estate-by-estate basis.
The money could be spent on anything from community gardens, CCTV and improved lighting, a skills library to address barriers to employment or projects to tackle social isolation. Ultimately it is for residents to suggest ideas, vote and decide how the money will best make a difference and leave a lasting legacy on their estates.
Residents will be able to submit proposals if they:
increase economic opportunities for residents
focus on sustainability, the environment, and green spaces
focus on community safety
promote inclusion and accessibility
promote residents having their own voice.
provide opportunities and support for children and young people
Ahead of the Fund being agreed last night (Wednesday 7 July), the Council carried out a six-week consultation asking eligible residents about the key themes for the Fund and their ideas for how it would work best.
Suggestions included hosting gatherings where people could learn about different cultures, running drug and knife awareness courses for young people and delivering environmental improvements to local streets and enhancements to community spaces.
Cllr Kim Taylor-Smith, Lead Member for Grenfell, Housing and Social Investment, said:
“This fund aims to give residents more control over the support they receive and ensure that the benefits of Grenfell recovery initiatives are felt directly by residents.
“This is a great example of a project that is being designed and led by residents who are taking ownership over how they want to make a difference and contribute to long-term change that is meaningful to the local community.”
The Council is now writing to all residents to encourage them to put forward ideas and working with residents’ associations and interested individuals on individual estates to help generate interest in the Fund.
The proposals will be reviewed with residents in the autumn before they are put to a vote.
