The Eldonian Village, Liverpool

Faced with the threat of their community being broken up and the people being forced to move from their homes in inner-city Liverpool, local people came together in 1978 to keep their community alive and improve the bad housing conditions in the area which they lived. Through tenacity, commitment and much hard work they provided good quality and affordable rental homes, as well as improving the commercial, physical and economic prospects in the area. Twenty-five years later 400 rented houses have been provided, 250 permanent jobs have been provided in business enterprises, $45 million of assets have been created and $180 million of inward investment attracted. A range of local older persons’ and recreation facilities have been provided and these are all owned and managed by the local community. Derelict and polluted land has been restored to form an attractive and secure living environment and the community now provides support and advice to other communities worldwide wishing to improve their housing conditions and have a greater say in their future.