Tower Hamlets proposes community led housing programme with site releases from 2020.
Last week Tower Hamlets became the latest London borough to detail plans to release Council-owned land for community led housing.
Under the proposed Affordable Self-Build Programme, sites will be made available to community led organisations (or individuals where sites can only accommodate a single unit) to bid via competitive process through the GLA Small Sites Portal from spring 2020.
Following similar programmes by Croydon Council and the GLA earlier this year, the proposals demonstrate local authorities growing support for community led housing and a diverse and locally driven approach to building new homes.
Significant to Tower Hamlets proposals is the requirement for 100% affordability of the homes built through the programme. Under the programme, proposals that deliver homes at London Affordable Rent level or align with average household incomes will be scored higher, with clauses in the Section 106 and leasehold covenants ensuring any affordability is protected for all future sales and lettings.
More information on the GLA’s affordable products is available in the ‘Homes for Londoners’ funding guidance.
By proposing to score bids 20% on the financial offer for the site and 80% on qualitative aspects (including community benefit and the sustainability of the scheme) Tower Hamlets has signalled a clear intention to accommodate proposals that meet the needs of local residents and which may not be viable through conventional routes.
The consultation runs until Saturday 30 November 2019.
More information
To find out more about the programme and to take part in the consultation, visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/self-build or contact self-build@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Or if you have an idea for a community led housing project then get in touch at info@communityledhousing.london
Have you ever thought of building your own home?
What could you deliver with your community?
Are you aware of the support available to do this?To find out more and to take part in the consultation on the Council’s Affordable Self-Build Programme, visit https://t.co/TfTGqTaSof pic.twitter.com/7EKzdkPQde
— Tower Hamlets Council (@TowerHamletsNow) October 17, 2019