The Excalibur Estate renewal project added 102 homes. It provides affordable options for families in Lewisham.
A ribbon-cutting event marked this point, and Lewisham’s Mayor Brenda Dacres attended. Councillors toured the site, including James-J Walsh, Mark Ingleby, Kim Powell, and Yemisi Anifowose.
Mayor Dacres stated they provide affordable homes, and the “Building for Lewisham” program helps families by ensuring a secure home. The project has built 159 new homes so far, and the council works with L&Q housing association.
The Excalibur Estate originally had 189 bungalows. They were built by war prisoners from Germany and Italy in 1945 and 1946. These homes were designed like the others.
Each bungalow had 600 square feet, including two bedrooms and a living room. A kitchen, toilet, and bathroom were inside. A small garden was also part of the design.
By 2006, the bungalows were outdated, and L&Q and the council began redoing it, aiming to create modern homes. In 2010, a council poll showed support, with 56% of residents wanting renewal; yet, some people wanted them preserved as is.
Lewisham now has housing issues, with almost 3,000 families needing temp housing and 11,000 people waiting for social housing. The council calls the renewal “a new chapter.”
Mayor Dacres said they keep asking for more homes. Over 17,000 homes have approval, and they are are working with the private sector to provide housing for everyone.
The council focused on key things. Security, affordability, and quality mattered, and Excalibur residents voted for development, benefiting from these promises.
All got a minimum of two bedrooms. Social rents were protected for the long run, and lifetime tenancies made it secure, allowing up to four children to share a room.
Owners could choose various options too. A social tenancy was one choice, while shared equity was another possibility. Original tenants got new homes to choose finishings for. L&Q and the council move to the final phase, which will bring 211 new homes.