Case Studies

The Cumbria and Lancaster Community Led Housing Hub takes no credit for any of the work carried out by the groups listed here. They are examples of some of the extraordinary achievements of communities in Cumbria, Lancaster and further afield, showing a range of approaches and partnerships, but reflecting personal motivations and local interests.

Calder Valley Community Land Trust

This is a great website showing how a successful community organisation can tackle housing and lots besides.

Canopy

Self-help housing project in Leeds - helps to tackle homelessness by getting people with nowhere to live working together to reclaim empty homes.

Distington Big Local

Distington Big Local is one of 150 Big Local areas in England that secured Big Lottery investment to the tune of £1 million to improve their local community and create a positive legacy for future generations.

    Gatesbield Quaker Housing Association

    Gatesbield Quaker Housing Association Ltd offer sheltered and extra care housing for older people in need, in the Windermere area of Cumbria.

      Housing Associations' Charitable Trust (HACT)

      Explore HACT to see how Housing Associations have been involved with – or have catalysed – opportunities for community action.

      Keswick Community Housing Trust

      Has a lovely website explaining in some detail the work they have done to build affordable homes for the local population. They have worked with housing associations and their work has included reclaiming a derelict building to create four single occupancy units.

      Lancaster co-housing group

      A pioneering 'intentional community' build project (to passivhaus standard). Members are very willing to share their learning, with regular tours and open days. They are currently working on a ‘senior co-housing’ extension to their existing community of around 40 homes, with well-planned shared facilities.

      LILAC - Low Impact Living Affordable Community

      A great, well established co-operative in Leeds who host ‘learning days’ so you can go and find out all about them. Their website has loads of inspirational ideas for co-operative living which they are happy to share.

      Lyvennet Community Trust

      Responsible for a development in Crosby Ravensworth incorporating affordable and self-build elements.

      My Community/Locality

      These tend to be rather urban focused but they tell interesting stories and illustrate a range of approaches and partnerships.

      Skelwith and Langdale Community Land Trust

      Four houses for affordable rent developed and managed in partnership with Two Castles Housing Association (now Castles and Coasts).


        Witherslack Passive House development

        Two passivhaus standard eco-homes build for affordable purchase held by the trust in perpetuity for the community. (Full market value cannot be realised in future sales.)