New affordable housing scheme named after Nottingham Windrush icons

VIP guests and project partners joined residents at the beginning of this week to celebrate the opening of a new £4.7m housing project in Nottingham.

Delivered by Tuntum Housing Association in partnership with Homes England and Nottingham Community Housing Association, the development, which was named after two pioneering former city councillors from the Windrush generation, includes 17 houses and 11 flats at affordable rent for individuals and families on low incomes.

Situated on Manning Street off Woodborough Road, the development was named after the first black Lord Mayor of Nottingham and Tony Robinson Close after the city’s first black Sheriff.

Richard Renwick MBE, Tuntum Chief Executive, said: ‘These 28 new social homes – which are already fully tenanted – will make a real difference to many lives.

‘We are immensely grateful to Homes England, which provided a £1.1 million grant subsidy, and our lead delivery partners, Nottingham Community Housing Association, for their magnificent support which enabled the development to progress. 

‘Tuntum is also indebted to the families of Des Wilson and Tony Robinson for giving permission for the streets to be named after these two great men, and for taking part in the opening ceremony itself.

‘Their presence made the occasion even more special.’

Founded in 1988, Tuntum is a Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) led housing association and specialist housing services for older people, refugees, young mothers, people suffering with mental health difficulties and homeless young people.

In addition, Tuntum delivers a range of non-housing initiatives including the Nottingham Carnival, Refugee Futures, Headwize and staff-led ‘Social Value’ days. 

Junior Hemans, Tuntum Chair, said: ‘This is a proud and historic moment for us. 

‘Tuntum’s founders were from the Windrush generation and, as the only independent BME-led housing association in the East Midlands, we will always remain true to their ideals.

‘They were community activists and professionals from Nottingham’s black community, motivated by the desire to correct inequality in housing provision, to demonstrate black community self-help, to create economic opportunities and to help build social capital.

‘The 17 houses and 11 flats that now stand on streets named in honour of two trailblazers from the Windrush generation are wonderfully appropriate tributes to their collective legacies.’

Images: Tuntum