This £4.7m initiative, named after two former city councillors from the Windrush generation, represents a significant milestone. The affordable housing scheme was a collaborative effort from the Tuntum Housing Association, Homes England, and Nottingham Community Housing Association.
Founded in 1988, Tuntum is a Nottingham-based housing association led by members of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) backgrounds. The company places a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Tuntum manages 1,600 homes, catering to the needs of more than 3,000 residents across 12 local authority areas.
Tuntum also provides a specialist housing service to older people, refugees, young mothers, people facing mental health challenges, and homeless youth.
The company has also worked on a series of non-housing initiatives. These include the Nottingham Carnival, Refugee Futures, Headwize, and dedicated ‘Social Value’ days led by their staff. Through these projects, Tuntum aims to promote community cohesion and improve the well-being of people and families beyond their housing needs.
The new affordable housing scheme has led to the creation of a new community on Manning Street, just off Woodborough Road. The development includes 17 houses and 11 flats, all of which are available for affordable rent, catering to individuals and families with limited finances.
Des Wilson Mews honours the legacy of the first black Lord Mayor of Nottingham, while Tony Robinson Close commemorates the city’s first black Sheriff. These streets pay tribute to the contributions these civic icons have made to Nottingham’s history.
“I am ever so proud of Tuntum’s achievement in building these properties and, more importantly, naming the streets after two of Nottingham’s outstanding Windrush pioneers,” commented the president of the Chartered Institute of Housing, Lara Oyedele,
“This is a living example of the important role that BME housing associations play in supporting local communities and reminding the housing sector of what the ‘social’ in social housing stands for,” she added.
During the opening ceremony, the families of both men were present, along with guests such as Lara Oyedele, Cllr Carole McCulloch, the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Cllr Audra Wynter, deputy leader of Nottingham City Council, and former Chair of Tuntum, Jon Collins.
“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 £1.1m grant subsidy, and our lead delivery partners, Nottingham Community Housing Association, for their magnificent support, which enabled the development to progress,” said Richard Renwick MBE, Tuntum chief executive.
“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,” he concluded.
