This Rural Housing Week (2-6 July) the community housing needs of Hambleton are being addressed at a free workshop.
Community First Yorkshire, a charity that supports rural communities in North, South and West Yorkshire, is working with Hambleton District Council to tackle the problems of providing local housing for local people at an affordable price.
A free workshop focussing on community-led housing in Hambleton will be held at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold (6.30 – 8.30pm) on 4 July. Parish councils, community groups, landowners or anyone interested in community led housing is welcome to attend. It’s a great chance to find out more about starting your own community-led housing project. To book email hayley.johnson@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk or t: 01904 704 177.
Community-led housing can help local groups to solve housing problems, create their own genuinely affordable homes and build stronger communities.
“This Rural Housing Week we are shining a spotlight on how rural housing developments can be a vital lifeline for developing thriving communities in Hambleton.” said Leah Swain, Chief Executive at Community First Yorkshire.
“If your community is worried about whether local residents can continue to afford to live in your area, or your village is lacking smaller homes for younger residents or long term residents are looking to downsize but can’t afford to, then we can help you explore options to help you meet your community’s housing needs. This is people-powered housing in action where local homes are firmly in the hands of community ownership.”
Mark Harbottle, Head of Economy and Planning, from Hambleton District Council, said: “Community First Yorkshire is locally based and can demonstrate a good knowledge of Hambleton. As a specialist in community led housing and other community development related issues, we feel they are perfectly placed to encourage our communities to explore options for developing housing that exactly matches their needs.”
Community First Yorkshire is working closely with Amanda Madden, the Hambleton Rural Housing Enabler, to raise awareness of, and enthusiasm for, community-led housing among Hambleton’s community groups, parish councils, landowners or anyone with a local interest. Over the next two years, Community First Yorkshire will help communities to identify opportunities worth investing in and encourage groups to consider building and owning their own homes using the available funding.
Community First Yorkshire, working in partnership with the North Yorkshire and East Riding Housing Enablers, has produced a suite of resources that will encourage rural communities across England to take community-led housing schemes forward. A toolkit of resources and a promotional video, funded by Nationwide Foundation, North Star Housing Group and UK Cohousing Network, is available on Community First Yorkshire’s website (www.communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk/projects/community-led-housing). The resources give useful advice on how to get a project started, the work involved throughout the different stages and highlight the support and funding available to get projects off the ground.
Community First Yorkshire is also working with local councils, housing providers, the North Yorkshire and East Riding community-led housing hub (REACH) and other stakeholders to provide ongoing community-led housing support and advice. REACH community-led housing Hub provides technical support on matters such as legal advice, architectural, finance and other professional services.
Community First Yorkshire also provides the same support for community-led housing in Ryedale.
ENDS
Media contacts
Community First Yorkshire: Jo Fox, Marketing & Communications Officer or Louise Ennis, Marketing & Communications Officer tel: 01904 704 177 info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.
About Community First Yorkshire
Community First Yorkshire is an influential, regional body which works with voluntary and community organisations, social enterprises and rural communities across North, South and West Yorkshire to inspire and support positive local action.
We are an independent charity formed from a merger between Rural Action Yorkshire and the North Yorkshire & York Forum.
T: 01904 704 177 e: info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk
Twitter: @CommFirstYorks Facebook: Community First Yorkshire