Action Homeless Leicester; held many similarities to Community Campus, refurbishing empty properties, though on a lease model rather than purchase due to higher property prices in Leicester, and provide support and a range of engagement activities with their service users. Action Homeless face similar challenges to CC87 – increasing demand for services, the detrimental impact of welfare reform, local
authority cuts and an extremely competitive fund raising environment.
Saffron Neighbourhood Council; who persuaded the Mayor to sell to them for a pound a nearby Brownfield site that was overgrown and a haven for antisocial behaviour. Part of the land has been leased to East Midland Housing creating an annual income stream for the project and the housing association has built an exemplar passive hausing estate of sixty eight, two and three bedroom properties. The cost of fuel for these properties is estimated to be under a hundred pounds a year!
The Neighbourhood Council has retained some land and is developing a food growing project – we bought some jam and chutney they have produced – it was very nice to!
For more information about this and other Locality See for Yourself Visits see http://locality.org.uk/projects/communityled-housing/open-days/.