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Routemap can help communities build affordable local homes to tackle housing crisis

New affordable houses have been built in Staffin. Image Hugh Campbell
New affordable houses have been built in Staffin. Image Hugh Campbell

A new ‘routemap’ has been created to encourage rural and island communities to build their own homes to tackle a major housing crisis.

Many parts of the Highlands and Islands have a shortage of affordable accommodation. It is affecting their ability to retain local populations.

It is hampering efforts to attract key workers and businesses to expand with staff unable to find anywhere to stay.

Holiday homes inflating property prices

The number of second and holiday homes in many rural and island areas also helps push property prices out of the reach of many local people.

Community-led housing schemes are tackling the issue by building attainable homes at discounted prices.

Now the Communities Housing Trust (CHT) has created the first free routemap with community organisations to help more areas develop their own projects.

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

The first affordable homes in Applecross for 18 years were completed this year

Writing for The Press and Journal, CHT principal officer Susan Hunter says: “Community-led development is about local people leading and playing a fundamental role in solving their specific housing problems and having greater influence in the allocation of properties.

“It’s about community control.

“With examples of what is possible, confidence is growing, with more communities exploring their options and taking direct action.

“It’s a viable option for many rural and island communities, and sometimes the only one.”

Community housing examples in Lochcarron, Applecross, Staffin and Gairloch

A community-led project in Lochcarron will see 15 houses, flats and self-build plots developed.

It will help retain young people and families in the area where demand for housing has risen dramatically recently.

Prices were cut using the Rural Housing Burden, which assures affordability in perpetuity for the community.

CHT has applied the housing burden to 130 properties in 35 communities to date.

Susan Hunter says community-led housing is sometimes the only option for rural and island areas

In March, residents moved into the first affordable houses built in Applecross in 18 years.

The three homes were built following concern about a lack of quality affordable homes locally.

In February, six families got the keys to new homes in Staffin following community-led action when rising prices and depopulation threatened community sustainability.

In Gairloch, 25 affordable homes were built as part of work on an eyesore site at Achtercairn.

De-mystifying community-led house building

Community action was prompted by falling numbers in the primary school as families struggled to find homes.

Ms Hunter warns there are challenges including the time taken to develop projects, rising costs and labour shortages.

She says making community-led projects stack up financially can be difficult, but the Scottish Government’s Rural and Islands Housing Fund is among support available.

The routemap was produced with financial support from the Nationwide Foundation. It provides a simplified guide to the various stages. They go from initial assessment, to feasibility, project development and construction to housing management.

New houses will help retain people in Lochcarron. Image Rupert Shanks Photography

Ms Hunter adds: “It is intended to help de-mystify 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.”

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