A once in a generation opportunity: the first affordable homes in 20 years tackle the need for long-term residential homes, and will help the island thrive into the future.
 
The Inner Hebridean island with a population of 125 faced a dilemma of increasing holiday- and second-homes, fewer available homes for residents, and pressure on island services.
 
In response, Colonsay Community Development Company (CCDC) is leading the much-needed project to provide homes and new business opportunities, with support from the Communities Housing Trust.
 
The initial development of nine new affordable homes just outside Scalasaig and close to the ferry terminal is expected to be complete in autumn 2023. The properties will be allocated according to island priorities and are a mix of affordable rent and discounted sale, as well as discounted self-build plots. A second phase of further affordable housing is planned by CCDC.
 
Several homes for Mowi staff also form part of the development, which will return to the community if and when they’re no longer needed. Nearby, two new community-owned commercial units are being built as workshop or studio space, to enable existing businesses to grow or new ones to start up.
 
Applications are now open for all properties, with a deadline of Sunday 19 March for the self-build plots and houses for sale, and a deadline of Sunday 2 July for the rental properties.
 
People in the island or with local connections to the area through work or family will be prioritised, as a way to promote the ongoing sustainability of island communities. People from outwith the island with particular skillsets and who wish to live and work in Colonsay and contribute to island life are also invited to apply.
 
There are four 2-3 bedroom homes available for affordable rent, two 2-3-bedroom homes for discounted sale, and three discounted self-build plots.
 
The Rural Housing Burden is applied to the self-build plots which gives full ownership, and applies a discount percentage in perpetuity which protects the ongoing affordability for the local community.

In 2020, CCDC purchased two plots of land with funds from the Scottish Land Fund, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Argyll and Bute Council, and Mowi, who will fund the provision of houses for their staff. Further funding for the construction phase has been obtained through Rural and Islands Housing Fund, Argyll & Bute Council’s Strategic Housing Fund, Inspiring Scotland, the £2m Islands Green Recovery Programme (Prògram Ath-Shlànachaidh Uaine nan Eilean), Local Energy Scotland’s CAREs fund and the CCDC’s own very successful Crowdfunding campaign. HIE and Regeneration Capital Grant Fund are funding the business unit build.
 
Dannie Onn, Director of CCDC said: “On behalf of the Colonsay community, CCDC is looking forward to housing our homeless folk and welcoming new people and families to this beautiful island. We hope they will be part of a fresh impetus for building opportunities for work and life here as part of a sustainable community. It has taken a while to get here, but the legal and financial incentives put in place by the Scottish Government to promote sustainable, self-reliant communities on the Scottish Islands looks to be paying off in Colonsay."
 
Ronnie MacRae, CEO of the Communities Housing Trust said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for islanders or folk really keen to move to Colonsay. With the homes and the business units, it’s the full package to provide a secure, long-term future for individual families, as well as the island itself. We’d like to particularly thank the Scottish Government for their funding support.
 
“CCDC’s dedication to this project and community is inspiring, and a positive example to other rural and island populations which may be struggling. Community-led projects can really make a world of difference to sustaining a community for generations to come.”
 
For further details of the properties and to apply, please visit: https://www.chtrust.co.uk/current-opportunities.html.

​Construction work has begun on a community-led development of five homes and five self-build plots in the main village of Inverarish.

Raasay Development Trust is leading the project with support from the Communities Housing Trust.

The development will include two homes for social rent with Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association, and three community-owned homes for affordable rent with Raasay Development Trust. There will also be five affordable self-build plots available, two with Raasay Development Trust and three with the Communities Housing Trust. All the plots will be discounted with the Rural Housing Burden, which assures affordability in perpetuity for the local community.

Raasay has seen a recent increase in demand for affordable housing, with 32 people on the Highland Housing Register waiting list. These new and much-needed homes will prioritise people with a link or need to live on the island.

Chair of Raasay Development Trust, Iain Hector Ross said: “Raasay has a clear and present need for new affordable housing stock to meet the growing demand from young islanders choosing to stay and others wanting to move to the island for increasing work opportunities. We are fortunate that the island is enjoying an era of growing economic confidence and opportunity, where young people now see a long-term future for themselves here. Quality housing is vital to support that future and we hope that the delivery of these new homes is just the first step towards providing every young islander with an affordable option.”

The community-owned site was purchased by Raasay Development Trust from North Raasay Sheep Stock Club, with funding from the Scottish Land Fund in 2020.

Further key funding has been provided by the Scottish Government’s Rural & Islands Housing Fund, and the Ecology Building Society, who may also be able to provide mortgages for the self-build homes.

Housing Secretary Shona Robison said: “It’s great to see work start on this project on Raasay. Supported by over £1.1 million from Scottish Government, this project will provide huge benefit to the local community and make a real and lasting difference to the lives of the new residents. 

“We are proud to have delivered over 6,000 affordable homes over the last parliament in rural and island communities. Our Programme for Government includes a commitment to continue to work towards an increased target of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 with at least 10% of these to be in our remote, rural and island communities. This reinforces the importance we place on the role of affordable housing in rural and island communities, with record levels of funding made available and a commitment to publish a Remote, Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan to help attract and retain people in these communities.”

Jon Lee, Community Housing Lead at Ecology Building Society, said: “We’re excited once again to work alongside the other funders to support this development on Raasay. Providing funding for affordable, energy efficient, community-led housing and to encourage sustainable self-build particularly chimes with our mission to build a greener society.”

Skye-based James MacQueen Building Contractors began construction work on site this week, and it is expected that the work will be complete in summer 2024. They said: “We are delighted and proud to be building high quality sustainable, modern homes for the community of Raasay. We use the most up to date heating technology in our builds which will help with the cost of living, making these houses even more affordable to run in the long term. It is exciting to deliver this vital energy-efficient housing, providing young islanders and locals the opportunity to stay on the island and help strengthen the community and economy they belong to.”

Ronnie MacRae, CEO of the Communities Housing Trust, said: “This development will provide homes for 10 families and help stop outward migration from the island, as well as helping the school and wider community to thrive. The project has been driven by the community and it’s a milestone for the island. We’d like to thank the Scottish Government for their funding support through which local businesses and the economy can also benefit, and is therefore creating more resilient island communities.”

Dr Audrey Sinclair, Chair of Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association said: “I am delighted that this project will start in Autumn this year. The joint working amongst Raasay Development Trust, Communities Housing Trust and Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association has to be applauded in reaching this stage. It is so important for our communities to achieve their visions and affordable housing has a fundamental part to play in making a positive impact on community sustainment.”

To express interest in the homes or self-build plots, please register your details at: www.chtrust.co.uk/future-opportunities.htm