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What is the Community Housing Fund?

A £60 million Community Housing Fund has been launched by Government to help 148 councils tackle the problem of high levels of second homeownership in their communities. The Government is also planning to extend a separate programme of targeted grants to support Community Led Groups in future years.

The current fund comes in the form of a grant to local authorities to support local community affordable housing projects aimed in particular at first-time buyers.

Some of this funding will be used to build capacity within local groups such as improving technical skills, setting up support hubs to offer advice, business planning and providing staff to review local housing needs.

The role of The Council

Local Authorities will be working closely with community-led housing groups and other stakeholders – such as the Community Land Trusts Network, or the Home and Communities Agency – to ensure the right tools are in place for the delivery of new homes in subsequent years.

Allerdale Borough Council wishes to encourage local groups who may be eligible for funding to participate in this scheme and appreciate the value and importance of the role of community volunteers throughout this process.

This fund will also be an important source of support for community groups wanting to bring forward custom and self-build housing projects. The fund is designed to particularly address the challenge of delivering more affordable new homes for first time buyers in areas where there is a high proportion of second homes.

A capital and revenue programme has been initiated and aimed at supporting a range of projects in the borough that can demonstrate a clear link to delivering affordable housing in areas that have been affected by the proportion of second homes. We believe that communities can support and deliver housing solutions in these areas which in turn will help to make Allerdale an excellent place to live, work, visit and play.

How we can help

The Council has been awarded £772K from the newly created Community Housing Fund. We need to target this funding in order to create genuinely affordable homes and strong communities in areas where the impact of second homes is particularly acute in ways that are difficult to achieve through mainstream housing. Criteria are:

• A requirement that the community must be integrally involved throughout the process in key decisions (what, where, for who). They don’t necessarily have to initiate and manage the development process, or build the homes themselves, though some may do.

• A presumption in favour of community groups that are taking a long term formal role in ownership, management or stewardship of the homes.

• A requirement that the benefits to the local area and /or specified community must be clearly defined and legally protected in perpetuity.

How will the programme support the Council Plan?

The fund will support a wide range of both capital and revenue projects that will support communities and help deliver some of the following council priorities:

Tackling inequality, helping those most in need to access affordable housing

Enhancing our towns, assisting and supporting communities and making our towns safe to visit

Creating a sustainable business, providing a great service to our people and our communities

Strengthening our economy, by improving our infrastructure

Improving health and wellbeing, maintaining a safe and clean environment

Which Communities are likely to be eligible for the grant?

*Please also see location map.

In Allerdale we have 9 parishes where the levels of second homes are above 10%. These are;

Above Derwent, Setmurthy, Borrowdale, Ireby and Uldale, Keswick, Lorton, St. Johns Castlerigg and Wythburn, Underskiddaw and Bewaldeth and Snittlegarth.

We also have a further 8 parishes where the level between 5 and 10%. These are Allonby, Dundraw, Gilcrux, Embleton, Bassenthwaite, Buttermere, Caldbeck and Loweswater.

Efforts will be focused on these areas but it is reasonable to include neighbouring parishes when looking at potential developments.

Who can apply for the fund?

The fund will support the following organisations if they are non-profit making and have social aims to deliver affordable housing in the communities set out above (but not limited to):

• Community Land Trusts

• Groups interested in self-build custom build

• Communities interested in delivering affordable housing

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Examples of projects that may receive support include:

• Covering the cost of drafting plans for a proposed affordable housing scheme.

• Partial funding towards initial build costs to pursue permanent sustainable dwellings.

• Match funding applications for affordable housing initiatives.

• Support towards the redevelopment of a long term empty dwellings.

Please note, this list is not exhaustive

Examples of projects that will not receive funding;

• Projects that do not demonstrate that they can deliver new or genuinely affordable housing.

• Double funding of projects, or funding that does not support the Council’s priorities.

• Funding to support staff requirements which may be needed.

• Subsidising schemes as a substitute for private capital when it is available.

• Funding for purely open market schemes.

How much will we fund communities?

Applications will be reviewed / evaluated on a case by case basis. The same forms and assessment process will apply to each type of grant and grants will be offered on a first come first served basis.

There are three levels of grants that can be applied for:

Level 1 small grants - under £1,000

Level 2 medium grants - between £1,000 and £10,000

Level 3 large grants - over £10,000

There are no initial restrictions on the number of grants a group can apply for as it is understood that funding may need to be phased over a full development programme. Allerdale Borough Council may however at any point be required to restrict bids to the overall scheme, or to cap grant levels within the scheme as funding availability reduces over time.

A full detailed account of what information is needed in order to pursue a grant application is set out in the application process its self.

Small grants

For small grants we will still need a copy of any estimates and a broad outline of plans however a breakdown of a business plan is not required.

For small grants consideration will be given to offering up to 100 percent of the overall requirement for funding.

Medium and large grants

For medium and large grants a detailed breakdown of costs and business plan / full project plan and projections for the proposed scheme will be required.

Consideration will normally be given to providing up to a maximum of 70 percent of the overall requirement for funding of the total sum presented in each bid. The group would be expected to fund the remaining sum through alternative sources. This proportion may only be exceeded in exceptional cases, for example where it is demonstrated that no other funds are available through alternative sources.

Other sources of funding may be identified through a number of different agencies including; The Community Land Trust Network, the Homes and Communities Agency, or through private financing from banks / building society etc.

Application Guidance Notes

The points listed below are intended to provide additional guidance to applicants. Please review each point in connection with your application form.

For each section you can expand the answer columns in order to allow enough space for your response.

Section 1: Group / Organisation details

• Please ensure the name of your group / organisation corresponds with the name of your group / organisaiton as listed in your constitution and on your bank account.

• If you do not have an email address please ensure your address for correspondence is clearly stated.

• If you are a registered charity please ensure your number is clearly stated.

• If your group is not constituted you will be required to provide your last year’s accounts and may be asked for further information before your application can be processed.

• Please ensure that the total number of employees and or the committee members who are involved in running your group / organisation is clearly stated.

Section 2: About your project

• Please include a name for your project on your application form.

• We recommend you attach details of your project and a full project or business plan to illustrate activities, or project outputs.

• When listing key outcomes of your project please give clear examples of how you will measure the project’s effectiveness. This should include how you will measure these outcomes and evaluate your project in relation to delivering affordable housing.

• Explain why there is a need for your project, how this was assessed and how you gathered the evidence to support your application. State approximately how many people will benefit and details of needs assessment as well as tenure mix is clarified.

Section 3: Budgets and Finance:

• You will need to include the total cost of the whole project and state what sum you are requesting from Allerdale. It is expected that Allerdale will not be funding each element of the project therefore please be clear about any other sources of funding and how these are being secured.

• Please note, where at all possible three like for like estimates / quotes should be provided.

• When listing the estimated expenditure you can increase the number of boxes in order to allow enough space for your response if required.

Section 4: Management

• Does your organisation or group have a track record of delivering similar projects and if so were Allerdale involved.

• If this is not the case are you working in partnership with a Registered Housing Provider and is there a management agreement in place.

• What mechanisms have been put in place to ensure the project is managed successfully.

Documents to include

Please ensure wherever possible you provide a scanned copy of each of the documents listed below along with your funding application.

• 3 estimates from different independent suppliers (if not available please explain how you will ensure best value is achieved).

• A detailed breakdown of all costs associated with your application for funding.

• Business, or project plan

• Any relevant correspondence with external organisations.

• Agreement from the land owner if different if applicable.

• Constitution or other governing documents.

• Confirmation from the Planning Authorities (ABC or LDNP) that the project would or is able to deliver affordable housing.

• Support from local action groups where applicable.

• Risk assessment and equality impact assessments.

If you are not able to scan any of the above documents they can be posted on to the address stated at the bottom of this form. If any of these documents are not available please state why this is the case.

Important things to note

• Each application will be considered on its own merits with consideration being given to the benefits this funding would bring to the community. We also need to consider if the objectives of the application can be achieved, i.e. local housing for local communities.

• Any evidence of the applicant’s efforts to source the funding themselves will also be taken into account.

• Prior to final payment Allerdale Borough Council will may deduct a sum of up to 5% of the total grant to be paid to the applicant group to assist with any administration costs associated with this application.

• For successful applications we will need to ensure that the monitoring and evaluation requirements set out in the guidance notes are adhered to.

• Please ensure that applications are accompanied by supporting information, as indicated in the application form and guidance notes.

Obtaining Estimates for the work you require

• Where a none statutory service is being provided (to complete contractual work as opposed to a planning application for example), you will need to obtain 3 written estimates which will need to be submitted as part of your bid. Where this is not possible please explain why and preferably provide evidence that at least 3 bids have been sought.

• It is anticipated that you will select a preferred contractor who is able to provide you with best value for money.

Summary of the Application Process

1. A Community Led Housing Grant Application and accompanying information is submitted.

2. The application is acknowledged within 7 days of receipt.

3. A review panel will assess the application within 28 days of receipt.

4. A decision letter will be issued within the next 7 days (this will be either full approval, conditional approval, or refusal (with reasons given).

Grant Payments

1. Once an approval decision has been provided we will inform you in writing of our decision.

2. Dependent upon the circumstances we will advise you of the payment arrangements at that point.

3. We may ask you to submit invoices to Allerdale. In some cases however where it is not feasible, then it may be possible for Allerdale to make an advanced payment (subject to agreement).

4. The funds will then be issued to the appropriate nominated person within the community group (as stated in the application).

5. The nominated person should then issue a payment to the contractor.

6. We will then issue you with a payment within 14 days.

Support Available

Help and guidance is available on request via telephone or email:

Paul Taylor Community Led Affordable Housing Officer

Allerdale Borough Council, Allerdale House, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 3YJ

T: 01900 702575 | M : 07768357869 |E : paul.taylor@.uk |

W: .uk

And:

Emma Bundock Private Sector Housing Manager

Allerdale Borough Council, Allerdale House, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 3YJ

T: 01900 702663 | M: 07483030448 |E:emma.bundock@.uk |

W:.uk

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Information and Guidance Regarding the Allerdale Community Housing Fund 2017 / 2019

“Allerdale – a great place to live, work and visit”

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