In a major step toward supporting affordable and sustainable housing and to doubling the size of the co-operative sector in the UK, the government has unveiled a £20 million funding package aimed at bolstering community-led housing projects across the country. This initiative seeks to empower local communities, enable more housing opportunities, and foster long-term solutions to the ongoing housing crisis.
As well as empowering local communities to have a direct say in the housing projects that affect their lives, it will also provide a more sustainable approach to housing development. By investing in local communities, the government is not only addressing immediate housing needs but also contributing to the creation of stronger, more sustainable communities for the future.
The new funding follows the government’s overhaul of the planning system with a new growth-focused National Planning Policy Framework which has also strengthened support for community-led housing,
The fund is being led by Resonance Community Developers over a 10 year period, and will be used for a range of activities including providing grants for planning, building, and acquiring land for new developments.
Matthew Pennycook, Housing and Planning Minister, said “Community-led housing not only delivers social and affordable homes for local people, it also gives local communities a greater say on where new homes are built and how they are designed.
“This investment will help community-based organisations overcome barriers to housing delivery and will support the growth of the community-led housing sector.
“Through our Plan for Change we are boosting housing supply and reforming the housing system, delivering on our commitment to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.”
Blase Lambert, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Co-operative Housing said “CCH is delighted to see this investment package get over the line.
“Along with our other national partners, we have worked with government over a long period of time on the need for further funding, and we look forward to seeing community led housing organisations bidding for this, and providing more homes designed and built by local people for local people.”
Community-led organisations across the country have already benefited from previous funding including our Member, YorSpace, which is building 19 affordable homes and a common house in York.