What is community led housing?

Housing that has been built or brought back into use by local people

Thought house-building was just something 'professionals' could do?
Think again!

Community led housing is a growing movement of normal people taking action and managing housing projects that build the decent and affordable homes that the country so desperately needs.

Anyone can start, volunteer and deliver a community led housing project. You don't need to work in housing, you don't need a degree in architecture, you don't need to be a builder. If you think a change is needed, you can lead that change.

Community led housing offers something for everyone

For people on a range of different incomes
For specific groups of people
For people who want to rent or buy
For groups wanting to build new homes or refurbish existing buildings

What it is and what it isn't

Community led housing is where:

Meaningful community engagement and consent occurs throughout the development process. The community does not necessarily have to initiate and manage the process, or build the homes themselves, though some may do
The local community group or organisation owns, manages or stewards the homes and in a manner of their choosing, and this may be done through a mutually supported arrangement with a Registered Provider that owns the freehold or leasehold for the property
The benefits to the local area and/or specified community must be clearly defined and legally protected in perpetuity.

Community led housing is not:

A tokenistic consultation
A housing association scheme with the backing of a parish council or community
A bog-standard housing development

This website focuses on six particular types of community led housing: cohousing, community land trusts (CLTs), community self-build, development trusts, housing co-operatives and self-help housing.