Taking on a community-led housing project can feel overwhelming and complicated, particularly for communities with limited time and resources.

Community-led housing is about local people playing a leading and fundamental role in solving their specific housing problems, creating long-term, affordable homes and strong, resilient communities in ways that are difficult to achieve through mainstream housing alone.

In Scotland, community-led housing is supported by the Scottish Government through the Rural and Islands Housing Fund, which was set up in 2016 and enables community groups to access grants to part-fund community-led ​housing projects. Read more about community-led housing in Scotland.
​The free RouteMap resource below has been created by the Communities Housing Trust in partnership with communities across Scotland, with funding support from the Nationwide Foundation. It is intended to help demystify and map out the main stages of the community-led housing process, to increase understanding, raise confidence, and ultimately support more communities to undertake projects of their own.
The RouteMap is based on our experience of working with well over 100 communities to help facilitate community-led housing. ​

​Seeing the whole process laid out, of what happens when, with key questions and issues communities should consider, can help visualise a project from beginning to end.

We have simplified the stages, and recognise that in reality projects are complex and ultimately non-linear, but intend to give an overview nonetheless.​
The RouteMap covers five main project stages, with an overview of each stage plus more detailed questions and key issues communities come across. 

Each stage also features a film case study (below) made by different communities and includes further detail and recommendations. 

Stage 1: ENQUIRY

Watch a case study from Balmaha in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park for more detail on the enquiry stage.
Key elements
​
  • Establish clear aspirations and requirements
 
  • Information and advice
 
  • Assess need for affordable housing and complementary opportunities
 
  • Consider likely funding solutions
 
  • Determine capacity and support/advice needed​
​
  • Community and partner engagement

There is more detail on these points and further Q&As in the full Routemap document, see above to download.

Stage 2: FEASIBILITY 

A film case study from Staffin in Skye, and their insight on the feasibility process and challenges. 
Key elements
​
  • Housing and Business Needs Survey

  • Land audit for availability of land (no land available – call for sites)

  • Feasibility/development funding

  • Technical appraisal of site and utilities

  • Business Plan, including initial Allocation Policy and tenure mix
​
  • Community input and partner engagement

There is more detail on these points and further Q&As in the full Routemap document, see above to download.

Stage 3: PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Watch a case study from Gairloch, where the regeneration of the Achtercairn site involved development with different partners. 
Key elements
​​
  • Secure funding for land purchase and legal fees

  • Land acquisition (secure consents to develop land)

  • Consultants and Development Agent appointed

  • Agree procurement route to tender for project

  • Secure funding package for consents and construction project
​
  • Apply for planning and pre-construction consents

There is more detail on these points and further Q&As in the full Routemap document, see above to download.

Stage 4: CONSTRUCTION

A film case study from Kincraig in the Cairngorms National Park, and key aspects and recommendations for the construction phase.
Key elements
​
  • Appoint contractor

  • Start building

  • Continue liaison with contractor and community

  • Manage funding package drawdowns

  • Handover of properties

  • Community Open Day – celebrate!
​
  • End of defects period (12 months after handover)

There is more detail on these points and further Q&As in the full Routemap document, see above to download.

Stage 5: HOUSING MANAGEMENT

Watch a case study from Applecross which shares insight and questions to consider for how the homes are managed long-term.
Key elements

  • Advertise properties

  • Allocate properties

  • Legal agreements to rent or buy

  • Residents move into new homes

  • Ongoing housing management: allocations, rent collection and sales
​
  • Ongoing housing maintenance: repairs, long-term maintenance and annual servicing

There is more detail on these points and further Q&As in the full Routemap document, see above to download.

Services and support

We work with many supporting organisations to provide a range of help and services to communities. The cost for most of these services may be covered by grants, so we recommend seeking guidance from experienced organisations to ensure the best possible outcomes for your community. Speak to us and we can signpost the latest and most appropriate information for your community.
We showcase a range of completed community-led projects, each quite different, at:
Check what funding support may be available for your project at:
​Gain inspiration into different aspects of your community-led project - from materials to boosting local skills - through our blog series with South of Scotland Community Housing:
Services we offer:
  • Housing Needs Surveys,
  • Community and partner engagement,
  • Business planning,
  • Feasibility studies and land audits,
  • Advice and practical support on fundraising applications for purchasing or developing assets,
  • Project development and management,
  • Building affordable homes,
  • Find and buy land,
  • Agreeing community-led allocation policies for homes, based on local priorities,
  • Managing properties,
  • Providing a letting agency service.

Contact us

To ask advice or discuss your plans and aspirations, please contact us:

[email protected]
01463 233549
Suite 4, Second Floor, Moray House, 16-18 Bank Street, Inverness, IV1 1QY 

Thanks and acknowledgements

The Communities Housing Trust has created this RouteMap for development trusts and community organisations in Scotland with funding support from the Nationwide Foundation.
We formed the RouteMap with input from community organisations we work with. The accompanying films for each stage were also made by the communities themselves, in:
  • Balmaha
  • Staffin
  • Gairloch
  • Ardgeal
  • Applecross
This was a way to further support rural communities and enable them to tell their own stories.
​We'd like to thank the filmmakers Dave Arcari, Hugh Campbell, Nessie Gearing, David Russell and Ryan Terry, as well as all interviewees.