Community schemes ‘could bring huge benefits’ in housing crisis

COMMUNITY-LED HOUSING has the potential to bring a wealth of benefits amidst a nationwide housing crisis, academics say.

The new research has found that it can protect traditional communities and open up new opportunities.

The study, involving academics from the University of Sheffield, has found that projects can bring about better outcomes for neighbourhoods.

They can do so by opening up the housing system and keeping incomes within communities to be reinvested.

It comes just weeks after the first scheme of its kind was approved for in the Yorkshire Dales, building homes to rent to be held by the community in perpetuity.

And such schemes, academics have said, have the potential to generate a wealth of benefits.

“Community-led housing has strong potential to contribute towards addressing some of the failures of the current housing system,” said Dr Sophie King, from the University of Sheffield’s Urban Institute.

The Housing Futures study, partnering academics with members of the Greater Manchester co-operative and housing movement, looked at examples in Liverpool and Manchester.

“By rejecting the private right to profit, community-led groups can exert local democratic control over their housing circumstances, enabling residents to directly shape their neighbourhoods,” added Dr King.

“The sector requires appropriate levels of support to meet its potential, and to find ways to scale upwards and outwards while retaining autonomy and independence.”