Resident engagement in the regeneration of social housing: the case of Woodberry Down, London

In recent decades policies of renewing social housing in partnership with private developers have become widespread and critics have described such policies as state-led gentrification. Whilst resident participation in such regeneration is often viewed as tokenistic, this paper presents a case of estate renewal where a well established residents’ association is having some success in influencing the outcomes of redevelopment as a result of engaging in a regeneration partnership. The residents’ association faces considerable challenges as the local authority has entered a partnership with a major developer and the majority of new homes will be for sale. Nonetheless, the residents’ association has been able to influence the regeneration in terms of the offers of rehousing to existing residents and in terms of maintaining their sense of place. However, many leaseholders have been displaced and there is an ongoing struggle to ensure that there is not a net loss of social rented housing. The paper highlights how sustained organisation by residents can affect the outcomes of redevelopment, but also illustrates the limitations of developer-led regeneration meeting social objectives.