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Community-led schemes could deliver 280,000 new homes, says report
Around 280,000 homes could be delivered through community-led projects if there was more support from the government, housing associations, councils and developers, a new report has claimed.
In the 38-page report, the Community Land Trust Network said a new “pattern book” of partnership could be scaled up nationally to tackle the wider housing crisis.
Community land trusts (CLTs) are non-for-profit organisations that own and develop land for the benefit of local people. A total of 350 CLTs have been formed across England and Wales, which so far have delivered 1,711 affordable homes.
Another 209 CLTs are currently forming or being explored, according to the report.
Housing secretary Michael Gove helped launch the report in parliament at the end of last week, along with fellow Conservative MP Danny Kruger.
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Looking ahead, the report said a possible 117,000 homes could be delivered on larger community-led sites in partnership with developers.
Around 30,000 homes could also be built on rural exception sites in partnership with housing associations, the report added. Just over half of all CLT schemes are currently delivered through partnerships with social landlords.
It also suggested that 33,000 homes could be added in infill sites on low-rise council estates.
Tom Chance, chief executive of the Community Land Trust Network, said: “With the right policy and industry support, there are clear opportunities to significantly scale up to develop 278,000 community-led homes.
“This kind of agency for communities could become commonplace.
“We are piloting a new growth programme and we want to work with housing associations, developers, local authorities and other landowners to advance the pattern book for delivery approaches.”
The community housing movement was dealt a blow last year when the government failed to allocate additional funding to the Community Housing Fund.
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