Uni partners with community housing scheme to help it grow as ethical landlord
Academics from the University of Huddersfield are partnering with a community organisation to help it grow as an ethical landlord as it builds a housing scheme to support disadvantaged people in the area.
They are lending their expertise to East Marsh United (EMU) and its bid to address inadequate housing supply, poor quality housing and health inequalities in the deprived area of Grimsby where it has operated for the past seven years.
EMU wants to grow its fledgling community housing scheme to buy and refurbish “100 homes for 100 years”. So far it has ten properties, all in the Rutland Street area of East Marsh, many of which have been refurbished and have local tenants already living in them.
Reader in Education Dr Jim Reid and Dr Claire McCamley - both from the School of Business, Education and Law - and Professor Philip Brown, Professor of Housing and Communities within the School of Human and Health Sciences are leading the collaboration which has been made possible by a £270,000 three-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership, funded by Innovate UK.
Dr Reid is bringing his expertise around exploring, engaging and working with community voices. Professor Brown brings his expertise in housing and inequalities.
Dr Reid, director of the University’s Centre for Research in Education and Society (HudCRES), commented: “EMU is dedicated to looking out for the local community and making homes that work for that community, central to achieving this is putting the voices of local people at the core of developments. The University's expertise and knowledge in working with silent or silenced people will help EMU achieve their aims of improving the everyday lives and health of their tenants and neighbours. This partnership also benefits the University at a time when the Government is interested in community-led housing initiatives.”
Professor Brown, academic lead for the University’s Healthy Housing Initiative, commented: “This partnership represents the best of what community-university collaboration can achieve: combining grassroots innovation with academic insight to tackle housing inequality and improve wellbeing. EMU’s vision for ethical, resident-led housing aligns with our commitment to social justice and community transformation, and we are proud to help bring that vision to life.”
The KTP will seek to develop the capacity and sustainability of EMU to purchase, renovate, and manage homes as an ethical community landlord for community wellbeing.
This means being resident and community-led, putting the voices of local people first, and re-imagining the East Marsh as a place where people can flourish.
Sara Wagstaff has been employed by the University as a KTP associate to work directly with EMU. She is responsible for researching and co-creating plans for healthy housing, developing partnerships with local people, and listening to local voices through participation and empowerment.
EMU was set up in 2017 and operates in an area of high deprivation where properties owned by absentee landlords often fall into disrepair. Run by the community, the organisation aims to address a number of the challenges the area faces. Community initiatives include tree planting, art projects, a choir and now the housing scheme.
Billy Dasein, Chair of East Marsh United, commented: “Our Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Huddersfield is a potential game-changer for East Marsh United and our "100 homes for 100 years" scheme. The expertise of Dr. Jim Reid, Dr. Claire McCamley, and Professor Philip Brown in community engagement, housing, and addressing inequalities will be invaluable as we aim to become a truly ethical, resident-led landlord.
“Made possible by Innovate UK funding, this partnership empowers our community, listens to local voices, and creates healthy, sustainable homes. Talented KTP associate Sara Wagstaff is already working with us to realise this vision. For East Marsh United, this KTP is a significant step in tackling inadequate housing and improving the lives and voices of our community. It combines our grassroots understanding with the University's academic rigour, creating a powerful synergy for positive change in Grimsby's East Marsh.”
KTP associate Sara Wagstaff commented: “This partnership with the University of Huddersfield allows us to access valuable expertise, highlighting EMU's unique grassroots approach. We believe a healthy home is fundamental, enabling families to focus on wellbeing, social connection, education, and a thriving future. By truly listening and fostering meaningful community participation, we empower residents to drive sustained change. I feel privileged to leverage my skills and collaborate with dedicated teams to bring these aims to fruition.”
What are Knowledge Transfer Partnerships?
KTPs are government-funded programmes aimed at helping UK businesses improve competitiveness, production and performance, part-funded through Innovate UK. The programme involves a collaboration between an organisation, nominated academic mentors from the University and a recent graduate.
The University of Huddersfield currently has a portfolio of around 25 KTPs attracting a total of almost £6 million funding.
Innovate UK is the country’s national innovation agency, which supports business-led innovation in all sectors and technologies, helping businesses grow through the development and commercialisation of new products, processes, and services.
Before and after images courtesy of East Marsh United