Here's a very small selection of exciting community-led housing projects led by the Communities Housing Trust (CHT) on behalf of communities across Scotland.
To discuss what your own community requires, feel free to contact us for an informal chat.
To discuss what your own community requires, feel free to contact us for an informal chat.
Staffin, Skye
Staffin is a small crofting community on the Trotternish Peninsula, on the Isle of Skye. A large proportion of residents are Gaelic speakers, and it remains a working community with many tourists passing through.
However, a lack of permanent all-year round employment and affordable housing, an ageing and falling population and the migration of young people in search of work elsewhere, are just some of the major challenges.
In partnership with the Staffin Community Trust/Urras an Taobh Sear, the Communities Housing Trust is project-managing a mixed development of six homes, two commercial units for rent including workshop space, and a new health centre for NHS Highland, to replace the existing building which is unfit for purpose.
The build began in August 2020, and the homes will be a mix of social rent through Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association, community rent through Staffin Community Trust, and discounted sale through CHT. Register your interest in the homes for discounted sale here.
Below is a short video made by Staffin Community Trust as part of their Crowdfunding campaign, which outlines the need for the project.
However, a lack of permanent all-year round employment and affordable housing, an ageing and falling population and the migration of young people in search of work elsewhere, are just some of the major challenges.
In partnership with the Staffin Community Trust/Urras an Taobh Sear, the Communities Housing Trust is project-managing a mixed development of six homes, two commercial units for rent including workshop space, and a new health centre for NHS Highland, to replace the existing building which is unfit for purpose.
The build began in August 2020, and the homes will be a mix of social rent through Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association, community rent through Staffin Community Trust, and discounted sale through CHT. Register your interest in the homes for discounted sale here.
Below is a short video made by Staffin Community Trust as part of their Crowdfunding campaign, which outlines the need for the project.
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For further details, download the case study:
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Colonsay
Colonsay is one of the more remote Scottish islands, with a small, aging population of 130 people and a worrying lack of young people. This is due in part to a lack of affordable housing and over 40% of the island's houses being used as holiday or second homes. On the rare occasions homes are offered for sale they are often priced above the means of the local people.
CHT supported the community, via the Colonsay Community Development Company (CCDC), to purchase two pieces of land and now project-manage the development on their behalf.
One site will provide up to 24 affordable homes of mixed tenures (self-build, Low Cost Home Ownership, social rent), expanding the island's housing stock. The houses are particularly suitable for elderly people and will reduce social isolation and fuel poverty.
The other site will provide 2 business units, studio and work space, which will help to grow and sustain the island's population and economy, retaining or attracting younger people in a live/work situation.
The development is an excellent example of community-led housing turning around a fragile situation and addressing depopulation, working with a public and private funding model to help bring social and economic benefits to the island and wider area.
In July 2021, the new Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & Islands, Mairi Gougeon, visited the development and broke the turf.
CHT supported the community, via the Colonsay Community Development Company (CCDC), to purchase two pieces of land and now project-manage the development on their behalf.
One site will provide up to 24 affordable homes of mixed tenures (self-build, Low Cost Home Ownership, social rent), expanding the island's housing stock. The houses are particularly suitable for elderly people and will reduce social isolation and fuel poverty.
The other site will provide 2 business units, studio and work space, which will help to grow and sustain the island's population and economy, retaining or attracting younger people in a live/work situation.
The development is an excellent example of community-led housing turning around a fragile situation and addressing depopulation, working with a public and private funding model to help bring social and economic benefits to the island and wider area.
In July 2021, the new Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & Islands, Mairi Gougeon, visited the development and broke the turf.
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For further details, download the case study:
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Gairloch
Situated in the Wester Ross village of Gairloch sits the development of Achtercairn.
CHT worked in partnership with the Achtercairn Development Group to provide 25 affordable homes (19 social rent and 6 low-cost home ownership), which are managed by the Highland Council, Albyn Housing Association, and CHT.
The development also includes a new shop and cafe which sell produce from over 40 local producers; a tourist information hub with Gairloch and Lochewe Action Forum, Scotland's first public building to be awarded 'passive house' status; a new classroom for the University of the Highlands & Islands; and a new training facility for the Air Training Corps.
The development was shortlisted in the Housing & Regeneration category of the SURF Awards 2020, and has also been shortlisted in the Best Regeneration Project category of the Inside Housing Development Awards 2021. Winners will be announced in November 2021.
CHT worked in partnership with the Achtercairn Development Group to provide 25 affordable homes (19 social rent and 6 low-cost home ownership), which are managed by the Highland Council, Albyn Housing Association, and CHT.
The development also includes a new shop and cafe which sell produce from over 40 local producers; a tourist information hub with Gairloch and Lochewe Action Forum, Scotland's first public building to be awarded 'passive house' status; a new classroom for the University of the Highlands & Islands; and a new training facility for the Air Training Corps.
The development was shortlisted in the Housing & Regeneration category of the SURF Awards 2020, and has also been shortlisted in the Best Regeneration Project category of the Inside Housing Development Awards 2021. Winners will be announced in November 2021.
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Read more about the project here, or download the case study below:
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Tomintoul
Tomintoul is a village in Moray, within the Cairngorms National Park. Attractive with tourists, it has a high number of second homes, and lack of available long-term housing.
We worked with the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust (TGDT) to undertake community consultation on housing need, which clearly showed that there was a demand for good quality affordable housing within the community. We then supported the Trust to identify and acquire a site, with funds from the Scottish Land Fund.
We continue to provide development support for the construction of 12 affordable units on the site of the old school, which began in spring 2021, including several live/work units. TGDT have opened a waiting list for the homes which will be open until 1 September 2021; add your name here if you're interested.
Watch the short video below for a quick update on site progress (April 2021). Planning for the homes was granted in May 2021.
We worked with the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust (TGDT) to undertake community consultation on housing need, which clearly showed that there was a demand for good quality affordable housing within the community. We then supported the Trust to identify and acquire a site, with funds from the Scottish Land Fund.
We continue to provide development support for the construction of 12 affordable units on the site of the old school, which began in spring 2021, including several live/work units. TGDT have opened a waiting list for the homes which will be open until 1 September 2021; add your name here if you're interested.
Watch the short video below for a quick update on site progress (April 2021). Planning for the homes was granted in May 2021.
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Balmaha
Balmaha is a small, remote village on the east side of Loch Lomond with thriving tourism but a lack of affordable homes for local workers.
CHT supported the community to obtain land through the Community Asset Transfer scheme, as well as further funding, and we're now working closely with the East Loch Lomond Community Trust, to provide new affordable homes. The site, a former Forestry & Land Scotland plantation, will provide 20 homes of mixed tenures, including shared equity and social rent. Four homes will be owned by the community and prioritised for local workers. Additional land will be made available for other community uses.
CHT supported the community to obtain land through the Community Asset Transfer scheme, as well as further funding, and we're now working closely with the East Loch Lomond Community Trust, to provide new affordable homes. The site, a former Forestry & Land Scotland plantation, will provide 20 homes of mixed tenures, including shared equity and social rent. Four homes will be owned by the community and prioritised for local workers. Additional land will be made available for other community uses.
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For further details, download the case study:
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Case studies coming soon!
Applecross
Knoydart
Knoydart
