Facts & Figures |
| Organisation Name: | Cassiltoun Housing Association |
| Individual Name: | |
| Area Served: | Castlemilk, outskirts of Glasgow |
| Population: | Between 1971 and 1991 the population of 37,000 fell by almost a half. It currently stands at approximately 11,000. |
| Sketch: | In the 1950s displaced people from inner city slum clearances were moved to Castlemilk. Poor initial planning lead to isolation and a lack of basic amenities. Unemployment grew due to decline of local industries and poverty/social problems ensued. Housing stock transfer to Cassiltoun Housing Association initiated the beginnings of long term bottom up regeneration.
In Castlemilk, the community anchor role is fulfilled through a collaboration of two organisations: Cassiltoun Housing Association and the Cassiltoun Trust. (working with other partners that contribute to the regeneration of Castlemilk)
|
| Legal Form: | Cassiltoun Housing Association Ltd is a charity. The Cassiltoun Trust is a subsidiary company of the |
| Volunteers: | 40 |
| People Benefitting: | Local people of all age groups benefit through housing, training, voluntary experience, access to information and services and children benefit directly from the pre 5s nursery. |
| Staff: | 12 |
| Turnover: | £1,500,000 |
| Earned Income: | £1,475,000 |
| Assets: | Housing - 468 properties; Castlemilk Stables. |
| Value of assets: | Housing Association assets are worth £1.8 million. There is no current valuation of the Stables Block, but it is estimated to be worth around £1million. |
Roots & Links |
| Origins: | The Castlemilk East Housing Co-operative.was first registered in 1984 when local tenants decided to do something about their appalling housing conditions. In 2004 the housing co-operative converted to charitable status, and changed the name of the organisation to Cassiltoun Housing Association. The Cassiltoun Trust was established in 2000 to undertake the conversion of the Stables Block as a community hub. |
| Governance: | Any tenant, joint tenant, dependent or resident of Castlemilk can become a member of the Housing Association by purchasing a share of the organisation for £1. Members elect a Management Committee at the AGM to govern the organisation’s affairs. The Trust Board is made up of a mix of community representatives, elected members and representatives from local agencies and is also elected at an annual AGM. |
| Community Links: | A stables engagement group has been formed that is made up of local groups and agencies all working to improve the quality of opportunities for local people. Members include Castlemilk Environment Trust, Economic Regeneration Company, Langside College and local schools have also joined. Regular gala days and community outings are also held. |
| External Links: | The anchor organisation is represented at a local and national level through a number of forums/bodies including the Community Planning Partnership, Local Housing Forum, Wider Role Forum, Employers in Voluntary Housing, Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and DTA Scotland. The Housing Association holds “Investors in People“ status. |
Activities |
| Physical Hub: | Yes. The Stables Block now houses offices, a nursery, education/recreation facilities as well as the Housing Association offices and has external courtyard and community garden space. |
| Builds Local Capacity: | Education/training for local people is delivered in partnership with Langside College, Glasgow library department and other agencies that provide access to training and learning facilities and programmes. |
| Delivers Services: | Affordable housing: provide premises for a nursery, library services, internet access, housing support services for the elderly and meeting space for local groups/ clubs. |
| Develops/Manages Property: | Owns and manages 468 residential properties; developed, own and manage Castlemilk Stables, have pipeline plans to take ownership of 533 further properties and to develop a residential home for elderly homeless men.
|
| Other: | Rental income from office and nursery space provides long term sustainable future for Castlemilk Stables. Stables Block running costs are low due to use of renewable energy – ground source heat pumps and sun spaces.
|
| Main Achievements: | Initiated bottom up regeneration of Castlemilk area through:
o Provision of quality affordable mix tenure housing including 28 new homes for people with dementia and disabilities
o Redevelopment of Castlemilk Stables as a community hub and so retained community ownership of our assets.
o Developing and sustaining leadership - experienced local volunteer leaders who serve on various management committees deliver excellent governance
|
What Next |
| Biggest Challenge: | Complex paper work /bureaucracy involved through working with multiple funders creates many challenges including agreeing partnership parameters and goals, regularly reviewing and adjusting plans to achieve consensus. |
| Lessons Learned: | The three biggest lessons learnt on the Castlemilk Stables project have been:
• Achieving a balance between a strong commitment to delivering objectives, at the same time as realizing that this takes considerable time and effort.
• Time and commitment involved in achieving a successful outcome were under estimated.
• Respect and good working relationships with partner organisations is essential.
|
| Aspirations: | • To recruit an engagement officer to take forward plans for Castlemilk Stables including development of a walled garden and orchard.
• Transfer of other underused local facilities into community ownership and development of them to maximise their potential.
|
Contact |
| Name: | Charlie Millar |
| Title: | Director |
| Address Line 1: | 70 Machrie Road |
| Address Line 2: | G45 0AS |
| City: | Glasgow |
| County: | |
| Telephone: | 0141 634 2673 |
| Fax: | 0141 634 9987 |
| Email: | Charlie.millar@cassiltoun.org.uk |
| Website URL: | www.castlemilk-housing.co.uk |
| District: | |
