Frome Area Community Land Trust has written to Frome MP, David Warburton, asking that he supports efforts to renew the Community Housing Fund.
They say, “With so little social housing being built, community-led initiatives such as CLTs are an important way of creating new, genuinely affordable homes for local people in housing need. The Community Housing Fund has helped create a pipeline of over 16,600 homes in the UK, many in the south-west. But concerns have now been raised that the fund may not be extended beyond March 2020, pulling the rug out from under many promising initiatives.
“Originally envisaged as a five-year fund, delays by Homes England meant that the fund has only been open for bids for the last 18 months, leaving Community Land Trusts at the mercy of the upcoming budget. In its manifesto the government committed itself to supporting community housing, so local groups like the Frome Area CLT are hoping that they stick to their promise.”
Roger Saunders, the chair of FACLT said, ”I’ve written to David Warburton as this fund is so important for us. FACLT is currently working on plans to build socially rented homes in Frome for people with a local connection. If the Community Housing Fund isn’t extended, this could seriously undermine our plans, at least in the short term.
“The Government has repeatedly ducked the decision, including in the recent spending round, and ministers are now deciding its future when setting the budget for the next year. It would be a great help if our local MP could urgently raise this issue with Esther McVey, the Minister of State for Housing.”
Frome Area Community Land Trust are asking their members and people in Frome to write to David Warburton asking him to support the extension of the Community Housing Fund – more details on the Housing Fund issues can be found at: www.community landtrusts.org.uk/what-we-do/our-campaigns/community -housing-fund. People can also email info@fromearea clt.org if you need more information. Its easy to join the Community Land Trust and get involved for only £1 by going to www. fromeareaclt.org
