On a hot and sunny Friday afternoon in July stood on the viewing platform in Greenwich Park, next to the world-famous sights of the Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian, Council-Leader Cllr Anthony Okereke, shook hands with Justin M. Bibb, Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, USA and welcomed him officially to the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
After enjoying the best natural view of London, from the UNESCO World Heritage Site, overlooking the Old Royal Naval College, St. Paul's Cathedral, the O2 Arena and many other landmarks the party moved off to visit two new social housing new developments in other parts of the borough: the award-winning Kidbrooke Park Road and Greenwich Millenium Village.
Arranged by London Councils, the organization that represents all the capital’s local authorities, as Cllr Okereke is now their Executive member for Housing and Homelessness, the transatlantic visit was intended to compare and contrast policy challenges and solutions with a particular focus on housing and regeneration in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, where the council is delivering the most new council homes in a generation.
Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “It doesn’t matter where you live: from Ohio to Greenwich everyone deserves a decent, affordable place to call home. It was a pleasure to host Mayor Bibb and show him how we’re tackling the housing crisis in our own borough. We share a lot of the same challenges: aging housing stock, demand that outweighs supply, and affordability. Through the visit we showcased our flexible approach that combines building and buying, which has allowed us to adapt to the challenges facing builders everywhere, from supply chain issues to rising labour costs. We’ve now been able to deliver 756 new Greenwich Builds council homes so far, and a further 505 are under construction, towards our target of 1,750. We’re getting things done by creating new council housing that anyone would be proud to call home.”
Justin M. Bibb, Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, said: "I’m grateful to Leader Okereke and the Royal Borough of Greenwich for the warm welcome and the opportunity to see firsthand the innovative work underway to expand access to quality, affordable housing. While Cleveland and Greenwich are unique communities, we share many of the same challenges with housing affordability, neighborhood revitalization, and ensuring every resident has the opportunity to build a future in the city they love. In Cleveland, we're advancing a comprehensive housing affordability strategy that includes preserving existing affordable housing, expanding homeownership opportunities, investing in new mixed-income and affordable developments, and working with public and private partners to increase the supply of quality housing across our neighborhoods. Seeing Greenwich's creative approach to delivering new council homes reinforces the importance of local governments leading with innovation and collaboration.
"This visit has been an invaluable opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from one another’s successes, and strengthen the partnership between our cities."
The delegation visited Kidbrooke Park Road, an award-winning development of 100 per 452-home social homes built by the council - believed to be the largest new council-built development in the country. As well as larger-family homes and ones specially adapted for wheelchair users, it also includes a new nursery, extensive landscaping and newly planted trees, children’s play areas, and an innovative sustainable energy centre.
At Greenwich Millenium Village, a private development built by Taylor Wimpey, the council has bought 199 one to four-bedroom apartments, eleven of which are wheelchair accessible. The surrounding neighbourhood is arranged around two lakes and an ecology park.
