Community-led housing
Community-led housing is a means by which local communities play a central role in providing their own housing. It can be used to specifically help certain groups such as older people. The adopted approach depends on a range of factors, such as the demand, available resources, location, and so on.
Community-led housing represents about 1% of the current UK housing stock. The general concept behind community-led housing is that the housing can be rented to people who live in the local community at affordable rates.
The different approaches broadly classified as community-led housing, include:
- Cohousing.
- Community land trusts (CLTs).
- Cooperative housing.
- Self-help housing.
- Group self-build.
These approaches can encompass new build, regeneration works and the repurposing of existing buildings.
The general principles of community-led housing include:
- Community engagement and consent throughout the process.
- The development process does not necessarily have to be initiated, nor the houses built, by the community.
- The homes are owned, managed and stewarded by the local community group.
- Asset locks legally protect the benefits to the local area.
The benefits of community-led housing include:
- Provision of additional housing.
- The house building industry is diversified.
- Older and vulnerable people are provided with choice for appropriate housing.
- Popular support for new homes can be mobilised.
In February 2019, Housing Minister, Kit Malthouse announced a £6 million funding boost for community-led housing over a 2-year period. The Community Led Homes Programme (managed by 4 leading housing charities) will provide local people with funding to kickstart developments that will benefit their neighbourhood. Funding of up to £10,000 will be provided to groups to cover start-up costs such as legal fees, and a further £3.5 million will be made available to provide technical advice and support to guide communities through the process of building. Ref https://www.gov.uk/government/news/malthouse-boosts-funding-for-community-led-affordable-housing
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