There are 23,000 homes being built as part of community-led housing schemes, says a report by the National CLT Network – four times more than the (5,810 homes) estimate three years ago.
The report Estimating the Pipeline of Community Led Housing Projects and its Grant Requirements also found that there are nearly 900 separate community-led housing groups developing homes across England.
The funds needed to build them over five years is around £260.5 million outside of London.
The £163 million Community Housing Fund used to provide grants to community groups that managed housing projects, however it has since closed. According to the National CLT Network report, over the 18 months that the fund was open, it “stimulated significant growth”.
The report uses two models to estimate grant requirements for revenue and capital funding.
Community groups have contacted more than 60 MPs to express their concerns for the future of their affordable housing projects should the fund not continue. This emphasises the need nationally for community-led housing groups, supporting many priorities of housing associations and local authorities whilst keeping the core needs and values of the community close to heart.
Catherine Harrington, co-chief executive at the National Community Land Trust Network said:
As our new research shows, the 18 months that the fund was open has rapidly expanded the community housing movement. Nearly 1,000 groups have projects, many of which are ‘oven-ready’. These are affordable homes that are backed by the community and are unlikely to be built by traditional developers.
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At ethical partnership we have great experience and success working with community groups to ensure that their housing needs are met. You can contact us for more information about the work that we do, as well as finding more information about how more affordable homes can benefit your local community.