REVITALISING UNDER-UTILISED SPACES FOR THE COMMON GOOD
J49 has a portfolio of schemes that is growing and developing.
Check back here to view new and upcoming projects.
BEAR HOUSE
Start date: March 2023
End date: August 2024
Budget: £10,000,000
Partners: Lewisham, GLA, The Deptford Ragged Trust
Bear House began construction in March 2023, and was completed in August 2024.
It provides 33 single occupancy apartments above two floors of community space. In discussions with the Greater London Authority and the Local Authority (Lewisham), we have designated all 33 of the apartments to be socially rented at GLA affordable rent rates (see their Affordable Homes programme 2016).
We worked closely with Lewisham Council to house people that had approached the council because they were at risk of street homelessness. Once the communal spaces are complete, the residents will all have access to a number of communal spaces below the apartments. There will also be a community cafe open for both public and residents’ use during the day. J49 is currently working with The Deptford Ragged Trust (which is the charitable trust of The Bear Church) to draw up a management plan specifying the exact nature of this interaction between residents and the community space.
This will allow J49 to implement its vision of ‘Creative Community Living‘ within the development.
NEWHAM HUB
Start date: Q1 2024
End date: Q1 2026
Budget: £3,200,000 APROX
Partners: NEWHAM, GLA, BDCA, LBPB, NEWWAY
The Newham Hub will begin construction in Q1 2024.
It’s designed to provide 08 studio apartments and 2 community flats above community space. In discussions with the Greater London Authority and the Local Authority (Newham), we have designated all of the studio spaces to be affordably rented for specialist housing.
In consultation with Newham Council, Bonny Downs, Newway and the GLA guidelines, we are looking for a specialist demographic of residents in housing need and requiring some level of support.The residents will all have designated access to a number of communal spaces below the apartments. There will also be a community cafe for both public and residents’ use during the day. J49 is currently working with Bonny Downs Community Association (which is a charity) to draw up a management plan specifying the exact nature of this interaction between residents and the community space.
This will allow J49 to work with BDCA and Newway to implement it’s vision of ‘Creative Community Living‘ within the development.
ELMS HALL
Start date: Q1 2026
End date:
Budget:
Partners: Selig, St Mary’s at the Elms
Elms Hall will begin construction in 2026. The hall will be converted into 3 self-contained apartments as transition or “move on” accommodation for people who are currently homeless. In order to achieve this, J49 will partner with Selig, a local organisation committed to working with homeless people. Selig is committed to “Showing those without a home that they are cared for, and helping them live healthier, happier lives.”
J49 has taken a 125 year lease from St Marys for the hall. J49 would in parallel have a service level agreement with Selig for them to run the new accommodation once completed, and support residents into jobs and eventually long-term, secure accommodation. J49 has been collaborating with Selig and members of St Marys to work out how the project could be achieved and funded so that it has a secure tenancy for the residents.
