Austin Macauley 26 January 2016

Think tank urges push to bring co-housing to the mainstream

A new report has set out how co-housing can ‘move from the margins to the mainstream’ to make high quality, sustainable and affordable developments the norm.

Measures include the reinstatement of the Empty Homes Community Grants Programme, which was scrapped last year, and more support and partnership working with local authorities and housing associations.

Written by the Smith Institute think tank and based on extensive interviews, the study said Government guarantee schemes, low-interest loans and seed-corn funding could all help the co-housing sector to grow.

But it argued the biggest challenge will be to raise awareness and understanding of co-housing and the way it can overcome nimbyism and promote responsible development with communities at their heart.

Paul Hackett, director of the Smith Institute, said: ‘Community-led housing provides an attractive and affordable alternative to conventional housing. Yet despite some growth and several awarding-winning projects the sector has yet to move from the margins to the mainstream.

‘Indeed, its achievements are often under-recognised and much of the sector’s potential remains unrealised. The Government could do more to support the sector, starting with renewing the grants to help local groups bring empty properties back into use.’

Gary Hartin, programme manager for alternative housing models at the Nationwide Foundation, said: ‘We firmly believe that community-led housing has immense potential to expand so that it can provide decent, affordable homes to a great many more people in the UK than it currently does today. This research highlights what needs to be done next and the Nationwide Foundation will continue to fund work supporting the meaningful development of this alternative model of housing.’

Selling the family silver image

Selling the family silver

Ryan Swift, research fellow at IPPR North, urges the next Government to stop the mass sell off of council assets.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Worker - 12 month Fixed Term Contract

Essex County Council
£30931 - £35362 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Defined Benefit Pension
Family WorkerFixed Term, Full Time£30,931 to £35,362 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Director - Customer Engagement

Gedling Borough Council
Up to £59,097 per annum
We have big plans at Gedling Borough Council and we’re looking for exceptional individuals who can help us deliver them! Gedling, Nottingham
Recuriter: Gedling Borough Council

Assistant Director - Digital, Data & Technology

Gedling Borough Council
Up to £67,881 per annum
We have big plans at Gedling Borough Council and we’re looking for exceptional individuals who can help us deliver them! Gedling, Nottingham
Recuriter: Gedling Borough Council

Assistant Director - Finance

Gedling Borough Council
Up to £71,275 per annum (includes 5% enhancement as Deputy S151 Officer)
We have big plans at Gedling Borough Council and we’re looking for exceptional individuals who can help us deliver them! Gedling, Nottingham
Recuriter: Gedling Borough Council

Director of Place

Gedling Borough Council
Up to £89,631 per annum
We have big plans at Gedling Borough Council and we’re looking for exceptional individuals who can help us deliver them! Gedling, Nottingham
Recuriter: Gedling Borough Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.