Image demonstrating Grant available for community led affordable housing  

Grant available for community led affordable housing  

 
 
A fund that is available to assist community led affordable housing schemes across the county is reaping real results for local people, and there is still money left in the pot to support similar community projects. 
 
The homes can either be new build or existing properties that are to be refurbished and funding is available for design work, construction costs and project management. 
 
The money is provided by Northumberland County Council from its Community Housing Fund, which was allocated to the council from Government to help community organisations  deliver affordable housing. 
 
The council secured an allocation of £1.3m from the national fund which is paying for a dedicated community housing officer to provide advice and support, with further funding being provided to fund Communities CAN (North East) Ltd.  Together, the council and Communities CAN are working together to help those wishing to set up an affordable housing scheme, as well as contributing towards the delivery of affordable housing projects. 

Northumberland County Councillor, Colin Horncastle, cabinet member with responsibility for Community Services said: 
“We know the importance of involving local people in decisions about the type of affordable housing that best suits the needs of their community 
“This community-led housing fund aims to support local people to play a leading role in solving local housing problems and increase the number of long-term affordable homes in their community.  
 
What has been particularly pleasing to see in Northumberland is that some of the recent schemes have helped to refurbish and maintain old heritage buildings in rural communities, bringing them back to life so they can help address an important housing need in their local communities.” 
Community schemes that have benefited from the fund so far include Haltwhistle Partnership, Embleton Parish Council, The Glendale Gateway Trust and Corbridge Parish Council  
 
Community groups which would like more information about community led housing can contact Linda Lacy, Community Housing Officer at email linda.lacy@northumberland.gov.uk 
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