New report makes the case for community-led housing

Community led housing can deliver up to £2.80 in wider benefits for every £1 of public money invested, according to a new study. 

The new report by Capital Economics shows that community led housing delivers significant economic, social and environmental benefits.

According to the study, community led housing can deliver of direct £1.80 of benefits over a 10-year period, rising to £2.80 when health and benefit savings, wellbeing and income distribution are factored in.

The report claims that more than 80% of community led homes in the development pipeline are planned to be for rent at below-market rates and in the majority of cases, these are homes that would not otherwise be built.

It also found that 10% of groups have developed sites which local opposition had previously prevented.

The National Community Land Trust (CLT) Network, which commissioned the research, is urging the government to announce a five-year renewal of the Community Housing Fund totalling £180m, in its upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review.

‘Community led housing is special in the way it can unlock new housing. Driven by the motivation to address the shortage of affordable housing, groups up and down the country are making use of land that would otherwise be left undeveloped and are generating significant public support for their plans too,’ said joint chief executive of the National CLT Network, Catherine Harrington.

‘The government’s Community Housing Fund has been an overwhelming success. It has created a pipeline of thousands of community led homes. But where it was only open for 18 months many of these projects are now stuck. There are 10,780 homes ready and waiting to be built, most of which will serve the government’s levelling up agenda and boost local economies.

‘It is time for the country to build, build, build. And it’s time for the government to show its commitment to the community led housing sector.’