Here's a very small selection of exciting community-led housing projects undertaken 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.
All projects below have been part-funded by the Scottish Government's Rural & Islands Housing Fund, set up to increase the supply of affordable housing in rural Scotland.
Explore:
To discuss what your own community requires, feel free to contact us for an informal chat.
All projects below have been part-funded by the Scottish Government's Rural & Islands Housing Fund, set up to increase the supply of affordable housing in rural Scotland.
Explore:
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 - 40 residents left in just four years - are just some of the major challenges.
In partnership with the Staffin Community Trust/Urras an Taobh Sear, the Communities Housing Trust project-managed a mixed development of six affordable 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 community-owned health centre will be leased to the NHS, returning income to the community.
The build began in August 2020, and the homes are a mix of social rent through Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association, community rent through Staffin Community Trust, and discounted sale through the Communities Housing Trust.
Residents - around 12 adults and eight children - moved into their new homes in February 2022.
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 - 40 residents left in just four years - are just some of the major challenges.
In partnership with the Staffin Community Trust/Urras an Taobh Sear, the Communities Housing Trust project-managed a mixed development of six affordable 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 community-owned health centre will be leased to the NHS, returning income to the community.
The build began in August 2020, and the homes are a mix of social rent through Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association, community rent through Staffin Community Trust, and discounted sale through the Communities Housing Trust.
Residents - around 12 adults and eight children - moved into their new homes in February 2022.
The development has received several awards:
- the Housing & Regeneration award at the SURF - Scotland's Regeneration Forum Awards 2022
- the Community Contribution award at the Scottish Home Awards 2022, for its significant contribution to the local community
- the Excellence in Regeneration & Sustainability award at the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland's Housing Awards 2022, and also features in the CIH Good Practice Compendium 2022 (p 56-57)
- the Best Project Overall at the Highlands & Islands Architectural Association Awards 2022
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Below is a short video made by Staffin Community Trust as part of their Crowdfunding campaign, which shows the need for the project.
For further details, download the case study:
| Staffin Case Study |
Applecross
Applecross is a small village on the north west coast. It is reached by the mountain pass of Bealach na Bà and is on the popular North Coast 500 route, receiving thousands of visitors a year.
Facing a lack of quality, affordable housing for residents, and particularly older residents with health or care needs, CHT worked in partnership with Applecross Community Company (ACC) to purchase the site from NHS Highland, adjacent to Applecross GP surgery, via Community Asset Transfer with funds from the Scottish Land Fund.
CHT provided development agency services to ACC, to build three accessible homes at An Toll Bàn with further funding from the Rural Housing Fund, HIE, SSE's Sustainable Development Fund, and Apple Juice Hydro.
Residents moved in during March 2022. We are delighted that these are the first community-owned homes on the Applecross peninsula - but not the last!
Facing a lack of quality, affordable housing for residents, and particularly older residents with health or care needs, CHT worked in partnership with Applecross Community Company (ACC) to purchase the site from NHS Highland, adjacent to Applecross GP surgery, via Community Asset Transfer with funds from the Scottish Land Fund.
CHT provided development agency services to ACC, to build three accessible homes at An Toll Bàn with further funding from the Rural Housing Fund, HIE, SSE's Sustainable Development Fund, and Apple Juice Hydro.
Residents moved in during March 2022. We are delighted that these are the first community-owned homes on the Applecross peninsula - but not the last!
For further details, download the case study.
| Community Led Housing Applecross |
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.
Watch CCDC's Crowdfunding campaign video which shows the dire need for these homes:
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.
Watch CCDC's Crowdfunding campaign video which shows the dire need for these homes:
For further details, download the case study:
| Community Led Housing Colonsay |
Gairloch
Situated in the Wester Ross village of Gairloch sits the award-winning development of Achtercairn.
CHT worked in partnership with the community to form and chair the Achtercairn Development Group, a consortium of around 50 local, regional and national partners, to provide 25 affordable homes (19 social rent and 6 low-cost home ownership), which are managed by the Highland Council, Albyn Housing Society, and CHT.
The development also includes the GALE Centre, Scotland's first public building to be awarded 'passive house' status, run by the Gairloch & Loch Ewe Action Forum, a social enterprise. The GALE Centre also includes a community shop and cafe which sell produce from over 40 local producers, supporting the wider circular economy, and growing and compost space to support zero waste and low food miles. A new classroom for the University of the Highlands & Islands was also provided; and new premises for Gairloch Farm Shop, and a training facility for the Air Training Corps.
The development was shortlisted in the Housing & Regeneration category of the SURF Awards 2020, and Commended in the Scottish Civic Trust's My Place Awards 2022. In 2021, it was announced as the winner in the Best Regeneration Project - Rural & Suburban category of the UK-wide Inside Housing Development Awards 2021, and the winner of the Excellence in Regeneration Category at the CIH Scotland Awards, appearing in CIH Scotland's Good Practice Compendium 2021.
It also won the European Responsible Housing Award's 'More Than A Roof' category in 2022.
CHT worked in partnership with the community to form and chair the Achtercairn Development Group, a consortium of around 50 local, regional and national partners, to provide 25 affordable homes (19 social rent and 6 low-cost home ownership), which are managed by the Highland Council, Albyn Housing Society, and CHT.
The development also includes the GALE Centre, Scotland's first public building to be awarded 'passive house' status, run by the Gairloch & Loch Ewe Action Forum, a social enterprise. The GALE Centre also includes a community shop and cafe which sell produce from over 40 local producers, supporting the wider circular economy, and growing and compost space to support zero waste and low food miles. A new classroom for the University of the Highlands & Islands was also provided; and new premises for Gairloch Farm Shop, and a training facility for the Air Training Corps.
The development was shortlisted in the Housing & Regeneration category of the SURF Awards 2020, and Commended in the Scottish Civic Trust's My Place Awards 2022. In 2021, it was announced as the winner in the Best Regeneration Project - Rural & Suburban category of the UK-wide Inside Housing Development Awards 2021, and the winner of the Excellence in Regeneration Category at the CIH Scotland Awards, appearing in CIH Scotland's Good Practice Compendium 2021.
It also won the European Responsible Housing Award's 'More Than A Roof' category in 2022.
Read more about the project here, or download the case study below:
| Gairloch Case Study |
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. The homes will help to address fuel poverty and social isolation in the construction and design, and the development will include EV charging points, and PV panels on every home.
Watch the short video below for a quick update on site progress (April 2021). Planning for the homes was granted in May 2021 and construction is ongoing.
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. The homes will help to address fuel poverty and social isolation in the construction and design, and the development will include EV charging points, and PV panels on every home.
Watch the short video below for a quick update on site progress (April 2021). Planning for the homes was granted in May 2021 and construction is ongoing.
For further details, download the case study:
| Community Led Housing Tomintoul |
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.
For further details, download the case study:
| Community Led Housing Balmaha |
Knoydart
