Context and Background
The publication titled "Access to land and finance for community-led housing (No 1)" was created as part of a CoHabitat initiative, led by World Habitat and urbaMonde. This initiative focuses on promoting community-led housing (CLH) as a sustainable and inclusive solution for housing challenges faced by communities around the world. CoHabitat comprises various grassroots federations, NGOs, and academic institutions aimed at securing housing rights through collective, non-speculative approaches. The publication features case studies from Africa, Europe, and Latin America, highlighting successful CLH projects and the unique ways they have secured land and financing.
Community-Led Housing (CLH)
Community-led housing embodies a range of practices where individuals collectively gain control over the planning, management, and sometimes construction of their living environment. This approach allows communities to make collective decisions about housing and communal spaces, promoting social inclusion and environmental sustainability. Despite its diversity, CLH often struggles with two main challenges: securing land with tenure security and accessing affordable finance. The case studies reviewed in this publication illustrate innovative solutions to these challenges across different geographical contexts.
Case Studies Overview
The publication presents several CLH projects, including:
1. Granby 4 Streets Community Land Trust, Liverpool, UK: This initiative successfully halted the demolition of houses in a culturally diverse neighborhood. The CLT refurbished 11 homes using a combination of interest-free loans, grants, and community fundraising, ensuring houses remain affordable through a leasehold agreement that ties resale prices to local income levels.
2. Ecovillage Aldea Feliz, Colombia: A group established an ecovillage on a 3.5-hectare plot, funded through community contributions and income-generating activities. The land is collectively owned, and houses are built using sustainable materials, promoting environmental consciousness and community engagement.
3. Barrio Intercultural, Argentina: This project involved the restitution of ancestral lands to the Curruhuinca indigenous community. A national law facilitated the transfer of land, allowing for the construction of 250 affordable homes without the possibility of speculation, thus preserving community integrity.
4. La Borda Cooperative, Barcelona, Spain: This cooperative is the first in Spain to implement a "grant of use" model, which maintains public ownership of land while allowing collective ownership of housing. The cooperative was financed through ethical loans and community contributions, fostering a sustainable housing model that remains affordable for future generations.
5. Senegalese Federation of Inhabitants, Dakar, Senegal: This initiative utilizes a revolving fund to finance the rehabilitation of homes affected by flooding. The project emphasizes community mobilization and has successfully improved living conditions for thousands by providing access to low-interest loans and technical assistance.
Conclusion and Future Directions
This publication aims to inspire other communities facing similar challenges in securing land and financing for CLH projects. By showcasing diverse examples from around the world, it highlights the potential of community-led initiatives to foster sustainable, inclusive, and affordable housing solutions. The future publications will delve deeper into the lessons learned from additional projects, further promoting the community-led housing movement across Europe and beyond.