Council tenants and leaseholders from across Barnet joined in a special celebration event to mark the completion of the biggest housing modernisation programme in the borough’s history.

The six-year Decent Homes programme, undertaken by social landlord Barnet Homes, has seen more than £185million invested in more than 8,700 council properties, along with improvements to blocks and estates across the borough.

On Friday 15 April Barnet Homes invited all tenants and leaseholders to a party to mark the end of the programme at Elmshurst Crescent, East Finchley, one of dozens of estates where homes have been brought up to a good quality standard.

The event, held with the support of Barnet Homes’ contractor partners United House, the Apollo Group and Balfour Beatty, featured a range of entertainment, including children’s games, a competition to create the best Easter bonnet and a petting zoo.

It was funded through the contractors who have worked with Barnet Homes on the programme – United House, Apollo Housing and Balfour Beatty.

Barnet Homes’ resident Chair Vi Britchfield, said: “There have been huge improvements to the fabric of buildings, but most important is the difference that Decent Homes has made to the lives of residents.

“Poor housing conditions tend to lead to frustrations. They can generate a lack of self-respect, which in turn leads to a lack of respect for the wider community – to antisocial behaviour and crime, ill health, poor school results and unemployment. Worse still, this can be a cycle that gets passed down from generation to generation.

“We believe that Decent Homes can help to break this cycle. We believe that better housing conditions can lead to greater pride of place – to greater involvement and engagement with the local community, a greater sense of neighbourhood, wider aspirations, and children and adults reaching their full potential. We hope that will be the true legacy of Decent Homes in Barnet.”

The programme, which began following the creation of Barnet Homes as an arms length management organisation (ALMO) in 2004 and its later award of two star status from the Audit Commission, has included:

  • 5,031 new kitchens
  • 3,979 new windows
  • 2,231 new bathrooms
  • 6,076 electrical works (full or part rewire)
  • 2,305 heating works (boiler only or full system)
  • 258 new roofs

Vi Britchfield added: “Last summer, for the first time, we held a series of new one-day events. Our staff joined residents in making major environmental improvements to our estates. We called the events ‘Love where you live’.

“In 2004 that name would most likely have seen us laughed out of town. In 2010 no one batted an eyelid. That’s the difference that Decent Homes has made.”

Delivered on time and to budget, the Decent Homes programme has also led to the following benefits:

  • a major reduction in CO2 emissions from council homes
  • the creation of Barnet’s first eco estate in Churchmead Close, East Barnet
  • lower fuel bills for residents
  • improved thermal comfort for residents
  • training and apprenticeship opportunities from contractors
  • fun days for residents.

Barnet Homes is now looking at options for future investment in council housing in the borough, and will be consulting residents later this year on how they would like money spent.