Trafford residents could secure a share of £163 million which is being made available nationally to build new community-led homes.
Lead Member for Communities and Housing, Cllr Kevin Procter, is urging people to get involved and make sure Trafford benefits from the money that is on offer through the Government’s Community Housing Fund managed by Homes England. He said:
This is a fantastic opportunity to work with others in your community to create homes that suit your needs. Trafford urgently needs new homes. Because demand for property is so high, many people who grew up in the borough are priced out of being able to continue living here. This is something that needs to change and the Community Housing Fund is one way the situation can move in the right direction.
Residents should contact Homes England if they: know of a small plot of land in their neighbourhood that is currently undeveloped; are keen to build more bungalows for elderly people living nearby; have other ideas for housing in their community and could work with others to deliver a project. Community groups, residents, housing associations, local authorities and charities can apply for money from the Community Housing Fund.
Grants will be awarded for feasibility studies, surveys, fees and training as well as for local infrastructure projects. Full details of the Community Housing Fund and how to bid can be found on the Community Housing Fund page of the government website.
Trafford, like many Greater Manchester boroughs, currently has a housing shortage and recently launched a five-year Housing Strategy aimed at speeding up housing growth and produce high-quality housing. The Council’s Executive is also making £1.5 million available to housing associations through the Trafford Affordable Housing Fund to address the lack of affordable housing.
Posted on Friday 11th January 2019