MALVERN Hills District Council has secured Government funding to help encourage community led housing (CLH) in the district and deliver more affordable homes.
The authority has received £169,000 from a national £60million pot to support CLH which encourages communities to get involved with and be at the heart of schemes.
It will help deliver affordable housing to meet the needs of people who live and work in the area.
Examples of CLH schemes include setting up a Community Land Trust, groups getting together to build their own homes or having custom-built homes, or bringing empty properties back into use and then selling or renting the properties at a price in line with wages.
The CLH fund pays for a dedicated officer to provide advice and support to those interested in setting up a scheme and the funding can be used to contribute towards the overall delivery of affordable housing projects.
This could include a range of activities such as conducting a house survey, making a contribution to a land purchase or planning application fee, skills training or consultation events and workshops.
Coun Melanie Baker, portfolio holder with responsibility for housing on Malvern Hills District Council, said: “With average house prices always on the increase, we recognise that the possibility of home ownership is getting further away for many people.
“This is why we think it’s right to support an initiative like Community Led Housing, which aims to help deliver affordable housing that will remain affordable forever.
“We know the importance of involving local people in decisions about what type of affordable housing best suits the needs of their community and the people who live and work there, as well as the need to support CLH schemes through the process of delivering high quality affordable housing.
“We have secured this Government funding to help financially support CLH groups that might have a viable plan to increase the number of long-term affordable housing properties in their community.”
Community groups interested in CLH should contact Kim Barton, the council’s CLH enabler, on 01386 565252 or email [email protected].
More information about CLH is available by visiting www.malvernhills.gov.uk/community-led-housing-fund.
