What is community-led housing?

There are several types of community-led housing providing for people in housing need.

Community land trusts 

Land is acquired and held as a community asset in perpetuity to provide rental or shared ownership properties for local people in housing need.

Housing co-operatives

Groups of people who provide and collectively manage affordable homes for themselves as tenants or shared owners, members are voted into the co-operative.

Co-housing 

Groups of people who provide self-contained private homes for themselves, but manage their scheme together and share activities, often in a communal space.

Tenant management organisations

Social housing tenants are given collective responsibility for managing and maintaining their homes through an agreement with their council or housing association landlord.

Self-help housing 

Small community-based organisations bringing empty properties back into use, often without mainstream funding, and with a strong emphasis on construction skills training and support.

Community self-build 

Groups of people building homes for themselves with external support and managing the process collectively.

Community development trusts (Community anchors) 

Independent, often well-established community-led organisations operating in a local area. They are focused on a range of economic, social and environmental issues; some are now involved in community-led housing provision.