EDITOR'S NOTES
Housing People, Building Communities is the new name for an established organisation that was set up initially to build 32 low-cost homes in the Granby-Toxteth district of Liverpool.
Our special approach combines self-build, volunteering and corporate philanthropy in a unique way.
Our home partners help to build the homes they will ultimately live in, working alongside volunteers from all over the world and using products, services and materials donated by some of the biggest corporate names.
This pioneering way of working has won awards for our Liverpool scheme, including:
- 2015 Builder & Engineer Awards – Highly Commended for Affordable Housing Project of the Year
- 2014 National Housing Awards – Most Innovative or Specialist Scheme
- 2014 UK Housing Awards – Best community led initiative
- 2014 First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards – Best housing alliance
- 2013 Housebuilder Awards – Best community initiative
- 2013 Liverpool Your Move Property Awards - Judges’ favourite project
The 32 homes are being built on land generously donated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese. Our partnership with national care and housing provider Sanctuary Group is providing over £2 million to develop the remaining 23 houses. Earlier in the project we received funding from NewHeartlands, the Housing Market Renewal Initiative (HMRI) on Merseyside.
HPBC has a comprehensive procedure for selecting families. They must have a strong connection with Liverpool (eg. live and /or work in the city), be willing to partner with HPBC to put 500 hours of "sweat equity" into building on the project and have sufficient income to secure a mortgage for their purchase. Further information: www.hpbc.org.uk.
Established in 1969, Sanctuary Group is responsible for the provision of social housing, care and management services across England and Scotland. It owns or operates more than 100,000 units of accommodation and employs around 11,000 people.
The Group operates under a not for profit umbrella, with surpluses reinvested into the provision of affordable housing, the maintenance of existing properties, and the development of new services for customers. Sanctuary is an exempt charity under the Charities Act 1993 andregulated by the Homes and Communities Agency.