Councils are being urged to share their views and experiences of co-operative and community-led housing (CCLH) by a local government network in order to identify additional ways of tackling the housing crisis.
The Commission on Community-led Housing has asked local authorities to submit evidence on why and how they encourage and enable development of CCLH in their area. This comes after the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) announced in December 2016 a £300m Community Housing Fund available over the next five years. At the same time, the launch of the latest UK-wide Big Society Capital loan facility of £15m has provided another significant funding opportunity.
“We are in the midst of a housing crisis. The housing market and existing policies have failed to meet the housing need of local communities. The Housing White Paper proposals are only part of the solution and so we need new approaches that harness community resources and commitment.”
Councillor Tony Newman, Chair of the Commission and Leader of Croydon Council
Set up by the Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network, the Commission’s practical approach is aimed at boosting what is happening on the ground: sharing good practice and innovation to enable councils to make best use of CCLH funding and work with communities to create more homes. The Welsh and Scottish Governments are also funding CCLH.
Submissions from local authorities will inform the Commission’s recommendations to Government on CCLH policy and ensure that its report, case studies and technical toolkit, to be launched in October 2017, enable authorities across the UK to develop or support CCLH. The submissions deadline is 31.03.2017.
To access the call for evidence go to: http://www.ccinhousing.co.uk/get-involved/
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