Communities Housing Trust engages with local communities throughout Scotland, with particular reference to the Highlands, to promote, support, and develop affordable housing plans and the wider benefits these bring to the local communities. They face multiple challenges that affordable, community housing projects encounter in the rural Highlands, from costs to working with multiple agencies to secure land, planning consent, and contractors. Any community affordable housing plan can be a lengthy process, from initial conversations to progressing to the finished housing project. The Communities Housing Trust supports communities throughout the entire housing project and also provides support with spin-off projects, including community cafés, shops, business premises, and hubs. Often, communities initially present an affordable housing need that is then expanded to meet other community needs. The Communities Housing Trust plays a key role in helping rural communities reverse population declines in their own areas through the development of affordable housing projects. The Trust frequently collaborates with local, rural trades and utilizes local, sustainable materials where possible. This contributes not only to net-zero ambitions but also fosters a climate-friendly local circular economy - during construction and into the future.
Find out more about the finalists for the Helping it Happen Awards 2023