Government launches Community Housing Fund

The Department for Levelling Up, Communities and Local Government (DLUHC) has announced that 1,200 homes will be delivered in England through a £4 million Community Housing Fund.

The Community Housing Fund programme seeks to help community groups build homes in their local area by covering a range of costs incurred in the process.

This could include:

• renting the town hall for a public meeting;
• paying for searches;
• administration costs;
• legal advice;
• design work; and
• planning applications.

Once planning permission is granted, community groups can fund the build through the government's Affordable Homes Programme, a housing association or developer, or through a bank loan.

The new houses will be part of locally-based organisations such as land trusts or housing co-operatives, meaning they stay under the control of the community.

Housing minister Stuart Andrew, said: "Part of our levelling up mission is to build the quality homes that communities want and need. Community-led housing is a great way to ensure local housing needs are met by putting local people in the driving seat".

"It is about residents playing a leading and lasting role creating genuinely affordable homes which regenerate and restore pride in communities".

The fund will help to:

• deliver 52 housing projects in England, from Cornwall to Berwick-upon-Tweed;
• go towards Bradford's Greenwood Community Led Housing group, which will build 62 supported homes for people with autism, learning disabilities or dementia;
• provide 34 affordable homes in Leeds, being built to regenerate a deprived part of the city following extensive involvement of residents in the design of the buildings.