Community-led housing is about giving local people a leading role in addressing the need for affordable housing in their area. Local communities are coming together to plan, design and often manage their own developments. With the aim of creating affordable homes for the people that need them the most.
There are several ways that community-led housing projects can happen:
Homes can be developed or owned by a community land trust
Affordable self-build
Partnerships between the community and a housing partner. This includes a registered provider, local authority or other body.
Housing cooperatives
How does Community-led housing work?
Community-led housing can take many different forms and legal structures. The common principles are that:
Projects are led and managed by the community. This means that local people play a key role in deciding what housing will be provided, where and for whom.
The community takes a leading role in the ownership or management of the homes.
Funding for community-led housing projects
If you are planning on undertaking a community-led housing project in your area there is funding available. The funding sources available that could help you get the ball rolling include
Community-Led Housing - Early Stage Feasibility Fund. This is a fund administered by Cornwall Council. It provides revenue funding which will help communities to bring forward more affordable housing. Costs will cover items such as initial start-up costs, designs, surveys and feasibility work. All the way up to getting your planning application submitted.
CLT land Remediation Fund. The CLT land Remediation Fund aims to support the capital phase of a project allowing for new community- led affordable housing. The funds aim is to tackle expensive-to -develop sites and buildings. The community needs to want to see these turned into affordable housing.
Community- led Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Fund. This can provide a short- term loan for community- led housing organisations. This can help finance the build stage of an affordable housing project.
Capital Housing Grant. This provides a capital grant for community-led housing organisations. This is dependant on funding being available.
You can contact the Affordable Housing Team to find out more information about the Community-led Housing grants.
Resources for Community-led Housing
Everything you need to know when it comes to starting your own Community-led housing project is included in the following Affordable Housing Enabler guide:
Please use the Council's Affordable Housing Rural Toolkit Resources. This provides detailed and technical guidance to help you. Guidance available includes information on legal structures, planning and finance. This is a comprehensive guide with templates and various tools for you to use.
Locality provide more support for Community-led housing. They can give advice, guidance and funding for pre-development work. This includes project planning and feasibility studies.
Community Land Trust Network are a leading movement working for a community land trust in every community that wants one. The aim is to promote community ownership of affordable housing and land so it becomes a normal part of public policy and market practice.
UK Cohousing Network is a membership organisation. Its mission is to enable communities to use the cohousing principles to create better places to live. This is done by reducing isolation and loneliness, and by sharing facilities and services reduce living costs. Their primary focus is to find ways to make cohousing more accessible. They also help to shape the policy and public funding environment to achieve this goal.
Rural Housing Enabler
Raising the profile of Community-led housing in Cornwall is a key aim of the Rural Housing Enabler. The Enabler and Affordable Housing Officers support rural communities. Support offered, such as helping to understand housing need can aid in the delivery of their own developments. You will receive advice and information on how to approach funding and delivery.
Affordable Housing Newsletter
The Affordable Housing Team produce a bi-monthly newsletter. Planning and policy, funding information, housing issues and good news stories are publicised. You can read past copies here;