The Government has announced today that it has committed an additional £6m to the community led housing sector, supplementing the £163m Community Housing Fund which was launched last year.
Hundreds of community-run housing organisations will benefit from this brand new Government-funded community led housing programme which will provide funding, training and specialist advice.
Community led housing is a way that communities can come together to solve their own housing challenges and provide high quality and affordable homes. It is estimated that over 5,000 community led homes will be built in the next five years.
Through the Community Led Homes Programme, which is managed by a consortium of four housing charities, community groups can apply for up to £10,000 seed-corn grants to cover start-up costs including legal incorporation fees.
Over £3.5m will also be invested into the growing network of community led housing enabling hubs that provide groups with technical advice and support.
This latest funding comes just weeks after the Mayor of London announced his own £38m Community Housing Fund. Sadiq Khan has pledged to support 1,000 community led homes in the capital by 2021.
More information about community led housing, including how to apply for a grant, can be found at www.communityledhomes..org.uk
Samantha Jones, Head of Community Led Homes, said:
“Communities want to play their part in tackling the country’s affordable housing crisis and many are forming community led housing groups to do so. In the next five years the movement will build over 5,000 affordable homes. We’ve created the Community Led Homes programme to help this figure increase further still, and in time, for community led housing to become a mainstream housing option.
“This programme is the culmination of a huge amount of work from the four organisations involved and demonstrates our belief that in partnership we can support more communities to imagine and realise the affordable housing they so desperately need. Together we are committed to building a lasting legacy for community led housing.”
