Community-Led Housing Support in Norfolk - Eastern Community Homes Hub

Eastern Community Homes is an independent not-for-profit hub for the East of England, which provides essential support to community groups who wish to pursue successful community-led housing (CLH) projects. The hub looks to empower local communities and encourage them to shape their place together. All six counties within the hub (Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire) now have a Community Led Housing Advisor in their region, who has undergone specific training which is accredited by both Community Led Homes and the Chartered Institute of Housing.

The Community Led Housing Advisor for Norfolk, Rik Martin, will work with budding and more established community groups, housing providers, Local Authorities and other partners to develop new community led housing solutions, such as Community Land Trusts (CLT’s), co-housing, cooperatives and self-build schemes. He will work with groups (urban or rural) from inception to completion to ensure the expertise and experience in the region and nationally can support communities to overcome challenges and help them achieve their ambitions. This work will include running workshops, advising on funding and finance, undertaking housing needs surveys, working with neighbourhood plan groups and enabling access to a wide range of technical support.

There are various models associated with community-led housing which can offer a flexible and blended approach;

The diversity of these models presents a real opportunity for ordinary local people to come together, identify their own need and deliver homes and other assets which benefit their particular community. There are many reasons why groups are set up; for example a lack of suitable affordable homes in the area or bringing empty buildings back into use. They can also be referenced as an aspiration in a neighbourhood plan to allow local people to take control of how housing is delivered.

For further information, case studies and guidance with regards to community-led housing or other types of affordable housing in Norfolk, please contact: Rik Martin, Development Manager.

Useful Links:

• The Eastern Community Homes Website can be found by clicking here. 
• The Community Led Homes Website can be found by clicking here.
• Slideshows from our Eastern Region Community Led Housing Event can be found by clicking here. 

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If you would like to find out more about Eastern Community Homes and community-led housing, why not come along to one of virtual events? Register your interest by clicking the image below. 

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