Canalside

Canalside was set up by Community Housing Group (CHG) in partnership with Metropolitan Housing Trust (MHT) in 1999 to take the transfer of 700 homes from Hackney following a successful ballot of residents in December 1998. The majority of properties are LCC-style balcony-access walk-up blocks dating from the 1920s. The remainder are mostly 1950s flatted blocks. All had suffered decades of under investment and were considered some of Hackney's worst.

The transfer of homes was based on Canalside's commitment to undertake major refurbishment, demolition and new-build, combined with fundamental changes to the management of the estates and a wide range of community development initiatives. Underlying all of this has been the establishment of a "Community Board" composed of residents, councilors and RSL representatives. This oversees all the work of the local team, sets budgets, develops policy and scrutinises performance. Residents, who form the largest group on the board, and provide both the Chair and Vice-Chair, ensure the focus remains on the standards of service expected and required. The Community Board of residents, RSL and Council representatives have introduced services for residents through the local office and has ensured that the Partnership supports community activities.