Community Led Housing

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Community Led Housing is central to FACLT’s vision and purpose. Our Creating Housing projects have Community Led Housing at their core.

Community led housing (CLH) involves local people playing a leading and lasting role in solving housing problems, creating genuinely affordable homes and strong communities. It can involve building new homes, returning empty homes to use and managing existing homes.

Community Led Housing in Frome

FACLT is working to encourage and enable the type of housing development that’s really needed in the town, particularly by those on low to medium incomes.

We work with Frome Town Council and other partners to monitor locally proposed developments, ensure they adhere to the Frome Neighbourhood Plan and to campaign for increased affordability.

We have publicised and run events on options such as self-build and Tiny Homes, and are encouraging Somerset Council to fulfil its statutory obligations by providing real opportunities for people on the self-build register.

We are working to acquire land and support the acquisition of land, to help build genuinely affordable homes for local people.

our Creating Homes group is always working to identify potential opportunities, negotiating, and developing site projects.

If you feel that you have useful skills to share, or are just passionate about creating community led housing please Contact Us to join this fantastic group of committed local people.

Why do we need community led housing in Frome?

Frome Housing Crisis:

In 2023 we held an emergency public meeting about the housing crisis, and in October, the Town Council declared a housing crisis here in Frome.

Skyrocketing property prices and high rental costs make it challenging for many individuals and families to secure affordable housing. A high number of people and families living or working in Frome live in accommodation that they feel is insecure, unaffordable or otherwise unsuitable for their needs, with more than 800 local households (or households with local connections) on the Homefinder Somerset lists waiting for social housing.

To help meet this need, Mendip District Council’s (now Somerset Council) Local Plan established ambitious targets for the development of new homes in the town. They also agreed a policy whereby a minimum 24% of new housing should be ‘social rented’ and 6% for ‘shared ownership’.

In reality new social rented and shared ownership housing has fallen far short of the targets. Private developers are known to use loopholes in the statutory framework to avoid meeting requirements and to maximise their profits. And what of the paltry number of genuinely affordable homes that do get built? These are typically built to much lower standards than those for sale on the open market, and are then made available to applicants throughout Somerset with the highest number of points.

Community Led Housing is for everyone. It’s built with local people and their everyday lives in mind, as well as the environment and a more sustainable future…..

No two projects are the same. Community Led Housing can be adapted and moulded to create bespoke solutions that remedy the particular issues and factors affecting a community.

Prioritising Local People over Profit:

Traditional housing developments often prioritise profit, resulting in a scarcity of genuinely affordable housing options. These development models do not always meet the specific requirements of our community, neglecting the diverse needs and preferences of different demographics.

Community Led Housing gives residents opportunities to actively participate in decision-making, ensuring that developments address their particular needs. it also encourages the development of various models, such as co-housing or self-build projects, providing more affordable options for residents. Because homes that are designed by local people are built with their friends and neighbours in mind, not profits, they’ll be affordable, high quality, and truly reflect what people actually need to be able to live happily and independently.

Local Empowerment:

The centralised decision-making process in traditional housing development can lead to a lack of local input.

Community Led Housing empowers residents to take an active role in planning and decision-making, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability.

Social Cohesion:

Traditional housing developments do not often prioritise social cohesion, leading to fragmented communities.

Community Led Housing, with emphasis on resident involvement, can contribute to stronger social bonds and a sense of community. Because homes that are genuinely affordable to rent and buy means communities aren’t displaced, young people can have security, village shops and schools remain open. And because the prices are protected in perpetuity, future generations will benefit from them too.

Community Character:

Large-scale developments may contribute to the loss of local character and heritage as they often follow generic designs.

Community Led Housing projects can prioritise the preservation of local architectural styles and overall community character.

Environmental Considerations:

Building more eco-friendly houses is crucial to reduce the environmental impact of our homes, with lower energy consumption they promote sustainable living for a healthier planet. Many conventional housing developments do not prioritise sustainability and environmental considerations.

Community Led Housing initiatives often emphasize eco-friendly practices and designs, addressing concerns about the ecological impact of housing projects

Economic Invigoration:

Some sections of our community face economic exclusion due to limited job opportunities and lack of local economic development.

Community Led Housing projects can stimulate the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.

Funding Diversity:

Limited government funding for affordable housing projects can hinder the development of solutions to address housing issues.

Community Led Housing initiatives often rely on a mix of funding sources, including grants, loans, and community fundraising.

Useful Links

Mendip District Local Plan

View the latest local plan information.