‘Neglected housing’ claim at artist studio scheme

An artist living in a South London studio as part of an established creative guardianship scheme has claimed that spaces occupied by artists on the programme are “neglected” with essential repairs going unaddressed.

A resident of Lakeside in Thamesmead, the artist participates in a scheme led by the charity Bow Arts that provides low-cost housing and studios to artists in properties that have been deregistered from the housing list because they are due for demolition.

The scheme allows artists to occupy the properties managed by Peabody Housing Association, paying a 30-day licence fee to Bow Arts, which includes a charitable donation to the organisation.

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In their allegations, made anonymously on the Asset Arrest podcast, the artist described their property as “like a squat” when they first moved in and called Peabody’s involvement in the scheme “a joke”, adding, “They don't really do anything, for us”.

“We've been neglected since the demolitions were planned – even though my building won't be demolished for four years.

“A friend recently moved out as they had a leak for three months, and it became a serious safety risk to use the electricity. Others have damp.

“People complain and ask for repairs, but no one is reacting.”

The artist also claimed that some of those in the scheme aren’t artists and raised concerns that some were taking advantage of the low-cost housing scheme despite having a high income.

A spokesperson for Peabody said that as the properties in the Bow Arts scheme have reached the end of their life, “they will not be in the same decorative condition as a permanent home” but said that guardians are made aware of this before they move in and that “the homes are safe.”

“We carry out full inspections, safety checks and cleaning at each property before someone moves in. When it comes to essential repairs, guardians are entitled to the same level of service as a tenant.”

They added: “Property guardians are not tenants. We receive no income from these properties, and guardians pay a license fee to Bow Arts that is well below market rent.”

Bow Arts CEO Marcel Baettig confirmed that Peabody is responsible for maintaining the flats and carrying out repair works. He said: “Although Bow Arts is not responsible for repairs, we keep a log of all requests and follow these up in monthly management meetings with a senior Peabody housing officer.

Baettig also said that the organisation's process for selecting artists was “rigorous” and based on approval of a submitted portfolio of works, not income.

He added that Bow Arts visits and inspects artist flats “on a regular basis” and holds “regular artist surgeries” for artists to voice “any issues they may be facing”.

Balfron Tower

Bow Arts previously ran a low-cost housing and studio scheme at Balfron Tower Image diamond geezer via Flickr

Bow Arts has previously faced criticism for its involvement in the controversial redevelopment of Balfron Tower after tenants of the grade-II* listed 1960s council block were asked to vacate from 2010 onward to allow for refurbishment of their homes.

Housing association Poplar Harca, which owned the block, worked with Bow Arts to house artists in the emptied tower. This led to some accusations of gentrification as it emerged council tenants would not return to their homes after the works were completed.

A former participant in the Balfron Tower scheme, the artist Rab Harling, raised complaints against Bow Arts, alleging that he had not been informed that part of his licence fee was a donation and, therefore, voluntary. The fundraising regulator ultimately dismissed the complaint despite finding that Bow Arts had breached the Code of Fundraising Practice by not outlining clearly the donation element of the rent their application pack.

Following delayed completion of the £57m works at Balfron Tower, the renovated flats were put on the private market over a year ago but have since been withdrawn, leaving the building empty.

Arts Professional has contacted the developer Telford Homes for comment.