Cabinet pledge on community led housing

Cabinet members have pledged their support to a new drive to encourage local communities to get involved in increasing the number of affordable homes in the district.

They have officially adopted a new pledge to promote community-led housing as part of a national campaign by the Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network (CCIN).

The council has recently introduced a new community-led housing policy to encourage more people to get involved in delivering new homes. 

Community-led housing can involve many different models, from self-builds to Community Land Trusts that  manage homes and other community assets on  a not-for-profit basis.

There are several different models of community-led housing and more details can be found on the councils website: http://www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/clh. What makes it community-led is the role of local people making key decisions about the type of housing being delivered.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration Councillor Ian Hardiman is the council’s champion for community-led housing. He said: “We are delighted to lend our support to this campaign.

“Here in Wyre Forest we recognise how community-led housing schemes can create more affordable homes, have a positive social impact and put communities at the heart of decision-making.

“We have secured government funding to support the growth of community-led housing schemes within the district. We recognise that groups will need financial support to bring communities of interest together, find a model that will be financially viable for affordable housing and most importantly, have the backing of the local community.”

To read more about community-led housing in Wyre Forest, or read our policy or pledge visit www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/clh.

Grants are available to support community-led schemes in the district. If you are interested to learn more please complete the enquiry form on the website or get in touch with Alex Powell, Community-led Housing Co-ordinator on tel. 01562 732524 or email: alexandra.powell@wyreforestdc.gov.uk