Locality is helping community groups to build homes in local areas in a bid to tackle the housing crisis
Twenty-two groups across England are set to take part in community-led housing projects supported by Locality.
The schemes will help deal with the mounting housing crisis by giving local people a say in community building.
The Early Stage Support Programme aims to show communities that it is possible to build affordable, quality housing in the local area that meets the needs of residents.
Locality chief executive Tony Armstrong said: “It’s so exciting to be giving these groups the chance to get started with their own community-led developments.
“Communities know what kind of housing is needed in their neighbourhoods and can be best placed to provide quality, affordable homes for the people in their area.
“All they need is a little help to get started and this programme will help them achieve their vision and, we hope, inspire other groups to take up the challenge too.”
Community-led housing development is an area that is starting to see increasing interest across the country, with many local groups taking control of building in their region.
The scheme from Locality will be funded via a grant from the Nationwide Foundation. Locality will offer guidance and support to help get groups building.
Programme manager at the Nationwide Foundation Gary Hartin said: “We are firm believers that community-led housing offers a meaningful way to create more genuinely affordable housing.
“Our ambition is to see it more widely used and acknowledged as a valuable tool to help tackle the desperate shortage of affordable and decent homes.”
Community-led projects only contribute to one per cent of the housing market, despite the wide ranging benefits it brings in meeting housing needs. This method of developing can act as a lynchpin in community activities, bringing additional benefits to local regions while offering affordable properties.
