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FreshStart Living was set up to provide affordable private housing. Properties we work with tend to be in deprived urban areas suffering from what economists call ‘negative value.’ In these areas property values fall in the face of insufficient demand. Landlords find it uneconomical to maintain their properties and empty houses get vandalised adding to the downward spiral.

Many tower blocks have suffered in this way; they show signs of significant under investment and prolonged lack of care. Their size and height often means that any deterioration in their appearance can cast a shadow over the surrounding community.

The majority of these blocks are well built, well proportioned, and well located; we believe that demolishing them should be a last resort - it’s costly, it’s disruptive and, more often than not the housing replacing them does not bring enough people to the area to make any impact on the neighbourhood.

Refurbished and well managed residential blocks can make a significant contribution to local communities and neighbourhoods; the high density model generates wider social activity, helps to support local shops and services, and generates revenue for local authorities.

Recycling and reuse of existing buildings is about as sustainable as you could ask for - if the structure is sound, then these buildings can provide attractive, comfortable, and secure homes and contribute to wider neighbourhood regeneration - a regenerated tower block will help to regenerate the area around it.