Calderdale Council is working with the Calder Valley Community Land Trust (CVCLT) to support the provision of affordable housing in the borough.
As part of ongoing collaborative efforts to provide high-quality affordable housing in Calderdale, the Council and CVCLT have signed a grant agreement to progress the purchase of a property in Heptonstall.
A two-bedroom property has been made available for purchase on Northfield in the sought-after village of Heptonstall, in the upper valley of Calderdale. CVCLT has been offered the opportunity to purchase and renovate the property to provide an affordable home for a local young family.
To bridge a funding gap, the Council is supporting the project by providing grant-funding of £90,000 from the Cow Green Affordable Housing Fund. These funds are from the sale of Cow Green car park in Halifax that were ringfenced to support affordable housing projects in the borough.
The property requires significant refurbishment work but would be brought up to modern standards, with works being overseen by CVCLT. Work would also take place to improve the energy efficiency of the property, including new doors and roof insulation.
Following refurbishment, the property would be let through the social housing waiting list, with conditions that the property would be available for young people under 35 with a strong connection, or need to live, in Heptonstall. This would support young families in need of suitable housing close to local amenities, such as schools.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Housing, Cllr Scott Patient, said:
“We understand the challenges that many local people can face to live in their preferred area and we remain committed to ensuring the supply of affordable housing across the borough meets the needs of our residents.
“This innovative partnership project with Calder Valley Community Land Trust would provide a much-needed local affordable home for a young family and we’re pleased to be able to support the project, using ringfenced funds for affordable housing.
“Although just one property, the effective partnership agreement is part of wider work to reduce inequalities and support thriving towns and places. The project would also include efficiency measures, such as improved insultation, supporting climate initiatives and proactive work to improve energy efficiency standards in rented properties.”
Simon Brearley, Chair of the Calder Valley Community Land Trust, said:
“It’s taken quite a while to get this to this point, but I am now thrilled to say that we have the funding to make the Northfield project happen.
“We believe this project shows how much can be achieved when communities work together, with local residents, councils, and practitioners combining to enable CVCLT to create a secure, comfortable community-owned home in Heptonstall. A home that local young people need and can afford to live in.
“There is great community support for more affordable housing, and this has helped us raise over £100,000 from the public to make this home a reality. We have also received very generous matched investment and grant funding from the Booster Fund, run by Co-operatives UK.
“However, without the £90,000 grant from Calderdale Council’s ring-fenced affordable homes funds we could never have made this project work.
“We will create a secure tenancy at an affordable rent in the heart of the heritage village of Heptonstall, enabling local people to put down roots in the community and plan for their future.
“This additional home will become the twelfth we have enabled, and every home counts; each making a real difference to the people living in it.
“We have worked closely with Calderdale Council on many of our projects, and we are very grateful for their continued support. It really has enabled us to make a huge difference to the lives of our growing number of tenants.”