The Issue 
The Issue
Across the UK, the cost-of-living crisis has deepened housing insecurity. Households are struggling to pay their rent, Council waiting lists are getting longer, and homelessness is increasing.  Yet at the same time, Councils and Housing Associations are selling land and buildings. Spaces and places that could be used to provide affordable homes are lost forever to the private market. 

More Than Bricks and Mortar
This loss isn't just about buildings and land; it's more than just bricks and mortar, it’s also about people and communities being priced out of their own neighbourhoods, and seeing new housing being built, but not for them. That’s why we have launched the Homes In Our Hands Campaign. It is a call out to Housing Associations, Councils, other public bodies and Faith Organisations, to work in partnership with communities to develop affordable housing solutions on these sites, and to keep social housing in the community.  This campaign is led by Pathway Housing Solutions, a social enterprise committed to tackling the housing crisis through community-led housing, working in coalition with grassroots groups, such as Resolve Notts, and institutional partners, including BME National and Housing 21.

THE SOLUTION 

Everyone Has A Right To A Home
Community-led housing is a movement where local people play a leading role in solving the housing problems and creating affordable homes and strong
communities. Homes In Our Hands is a call out to you to join our campaign and movement, to have your voices heard, and to strengthen our action against the loss of spaces and places that could provide a safe, stable, affordable home. 

By signing this petition, you are standing up for a fairer, more inclusive housing system.

Our Six Calls To Action
TO COUNCILS, HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS, LAND-HOLDING PUBLIC BODIES AND GOVERNMENT. 
1. Financial Support for community-led housing (CLH): A proportion of the funds received by councils and housing associations from social housing sales, developer payments made in lieu of providing affordable housing, and low-interest loans, should be used to provide funds and grant support for community-led housing infrastructure, helping to build the capacity of groups to deliver community-led housing. 

2. Community-led housing policy (CLH) introduce a community-led housing policy that embeds CLH in planning, housing, and asset disposals. 
3. Ring-fenced land and property suitable sites are identified and ring-fenced for community-led housing schemes.
4. First right of refusal where land or property comes up for sale, community groups are given first refusal to buy, and a 12-month exclusivity period is set, where it cannot be sold, so that community groups have time to put together a business plan and to raise funds.
5. Partnership Working Government departments like MHCLG and Homes England should incentivise housing partnerships between Housing Associations, Councils and Community Housing groups by tying grant funding conditions to targets for collaborative approaches to the provision of community-led housing.
6. Social Outcomes and Best Value sales of land and property to community housing groups should be discounted in recognition of the wider benefits it brings to the community.

For more information, see our website: www.pathwayhousingsolutions.org.uk
“Homes In Our Hands” Housing For People Not For Profit