Tales of the new Diggers & Dreamers: One year on – community solutions to the housing crisis in Brighton & Hove
Local people will talk about the highs and lows of developing their own housing in the city – from self-build projects for families to taking over other properties to set up co-operatives.
Over the last year over 150 people in Brighton & Hove have been involved in developing their own housing projects in the city and this is a chance to hear what it’s like and to see the amazing homes and communities they are making.
People who want to attend the event need to sign here at Eventbrite.
Community-led housing allows local people to take control of their housing and create alternatives to the limited choices offered by the current housing market. Approaches include self-build, cohousing and housing co-operatives, all developed and run by groups of people working together.
With support from Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC), Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust (BHCLT) is supporting groups of people who have started their own projects through our Community-Led Housing Programme.
The event will include more information about Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust and live interactive sessions with people involved in 11 local community-led housing groups, reflecting on their experiences. Groups represented will be:
- Bunker Housing Co-operative: Self-build co-operative developing their first 3-bedroom affordable eco homes, for £225k each
- Coldean Community Organisation: Creating 12-15 affordable homes and community facilities including a gymnasium for the people of Coldean
- Coral: New cohousing project looking at eco retrofit and eco self-build options.
- Out of Town: Longstanding local housing co-operative who received a grant to expand one of their houses.
- Roost Self Build Housing Coop: New housing co-operative of families
- SEASALT (South EAst Students Autonomously Living Together): Creating the first affordable student-led housing in the South East of England, through buying and refurbishing a large 10-bed house and running it themselves cooperatively
- Selby Housing Co-operative: Co-op for low income families with a house in Coldean
- South Downs Eco: Housing and land-based project located on the way to Devil’s Dyke
- Starlings: Creating a community of sustainable homes, centred on a community hub, which will provide genuinely affordable housing
- Sussex Cohousing: Developing 30-35 homes, each with their own front door within an intentional community where sharing of resources will be the norm
- Sussex Homeless Support CIO: Working with people who have experienced homelessness to develop affordable, community-led housing
Rita Garner, BHCLT director, said:
“We are so impressed with all the local people who have taken up the challenge of setting up their own community-led housing projects. It really shows the community spirit that our city is known for.
“We have a housing crisis in Brighton & Hove but these projects show that a whole range of people can take control of their housing, making it more affordable and better suited to their needs.”
The event will also allow BHCLT supporters to share their opinion about ideas for our new ‘visual identity’ and awareness raising campaign. We are working with Graphic Design students from the University of Brighton on new ideas for our future communications.
Concerned about the housing crisis? Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust is open to new members. It is just £1 to join. Find out more about community-led housing, set up your own project, or lend your time or money. More information: https://bhclt.org.uk/membership/
People who want to attend the event need to sign here at Eventbrite.