1. Successful places
with homes and jobs
A NATIONAL
AGENCY
WORKING
LOCALLY
Community led
development
Victoria Keen
February 2015
Victoria.Keen@hca.gsi.gov.uk
2. CL Affordable Homes funding
AHP 2011-15 / AHGP / AHP 2015-20
Initial programme went well from a standing start
– Millions of funding allocated across the country (particularly strong in
Midlands/SSW but strong schemes in NEYTH), more now in the
pipeline through AHGP
– NEYTH – includes Goodwin D’ment Trust, Stocksfield Community
Association Trading Arm (SCATA), Glendale Gateway Trust and Jewish
Community Council of Gateshead.
– Over 35 schemes in contract and on site, some completed
Wide range of schemes and approaches
– Variety of drivers (Neighbourhood Watch to Parish Council)
– From 4 to 54 units
– Some going it alone, most working with RP partners
– Contributing to broad range of social outcomes
AHP 15-18 launched
– No CL bids in April, but CME open now and first bids coming in
3. Community Led Project Support Fund
Supporting schemes at the early stages
Revenue funding for Community Groups and Parish
Councils to develop proposals leading to either:
– Community Right to Build Order / Planning Application
Specific funding criteria:
– Fund for working up proposal (housing, shops, businesses
and community facilities)
– Need to be (or become) a body corporate (lots of options)
– Revenue only (acquisition/development costs excluded)
– Applications assessed for community support, value for
money and deliverability
– Minimum 10% match funding required
Future
– 11-15 fund closed but DCLG procuring partner to deliver
next round
– Also look to CLT fund and others
4. Supportive policy framework
New rights and opportunities
Government has set out a range of support for local solutions:
Policy (Localism Act and planning)
– Community Rights to Bid, Build, Reclaim (among others)
– Neighbourhood planning
– Increased focus on local engagement (pre-planning)
– Local authorities assessing local demand for self build
Funding (AHP, CLPRS, Empty Homes, Custom Build)
– AHP support set to continue to 2020
– New custom build programme
– BFF targeting small developers
– CLPSF funding to be extended (externally managed)
– Public land
Process
– Simplified grant application
– New guidance on registration shortly
5. Delivering together
Most schemes have had help
Development is a complex process – don’t under estimate that
But when people/places come together a lot can be achieved
Local councils play a key ‘enabling’ role
– Some are leading the projects (DC/Parish) and many sit on boards
– Supporting schemes through land, loans, planning advice, community
engagement/publicity, strategy/policy (housing, planning, nominations)
Many groups are working with RPs
– Playing a range of roles as developer, advisor, landlord, HCA liaison
Range of support networks out there
– CLT Network, Locality, CoHousing network, Self Help housing, NASBA and
others (including HCA!)
Look for support and choose your partners carefully
– Range of options – groups go it alone or in partnership
– Be clear what you want from relationships/partnerships
6. Delivering on its promise…
Number of schemes and the wider work of
partners
Glendale Gateway Trust, CLT, Northumberland
• Physical Regeneration:
27 new affordable homes
3 shops, 1 Community Centre
1 Youth Drop-in Centre and 1 Youth Hostel
• Attracted over £7.5M investment
• 75% costs of Trust met by self generated income
• Confidence and entrepreneurial approach
• Registered with HCA to receive grant and manage homes.
Beer CLT, East Devon coast
– 2AR, 3AHO and 2 market homes
– CLT led by Parish and District Council
– Board contains key skills, links with DC vital
– Registering with HCA to receive grant and
manage homes directly.
7. It’s not about special treatment, or about
throwing money at a solution
It’s about making community led a real and
viable alternative to mainstream housing
delivery
It’s not about special treatment, and its
not about throwing money at solutions
It’s about making community led housing
a recognised and viable option, and
showing what can be achieved
Final word