About KCHT
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KCHT is a Community Land Trust, run by volunteers, and was formed in response to a series of Churches Together in Keswick consultations in 2009. This highlighted the housing issues experienced in Keswick due to the combined impact of high house prices and second homes, low wages associated with the tourism industry, the loss of affordable housing through the Right to Buy, and the high cost of a housing association shared ownership scheme. Our aim is to provide homes for local people who cannot afford to buy or rent long-term accommodation at current market prices. |
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In May 2011, Allerdale District Council Housing Needs Survey reported that:
In the Keswick area, estate agents sold more properties as second homes and holiday lets than they sold to local people. Prices were unaffordable for virtually the entire local population, and there was an imbalanced market for owner occupiers and social renters, with the highest need for 3-bedroom houses for rent.
In May 2016, Allerdale District Council Housing Needs Survey reported that:
The sales market within the Keswick area was described as “huge” by all estate agents. The style of homes available combined with the image and reputation of the area continued to make this a very popular location for buy-to-let investors and those seeking second homes, with good properties selling within a matter of days of entering the market. Most investors were from out of the area and wished to capitalise on the high demand for holiday-lets as well as relatively cheaper property prices when compared with prices in the south of England. Highest demand was for three-bedroom properties with the average price around £300k. Property prices in the area were significantly higher compared with other parts of the Borough. As a result, Estate Agents felt that affordability presented a key challenge for the area as many remain priced out and noted that the high levels of demand continued to encourage local house prices to rise.
The rental market in Keswick is limited despite strong demand for rental homes in the area. Agents reported that many families will aim to seek a rental property in the area if it allows them to access a home locally. Furthermore, the presence of excellent local schools continued to attract families however, the limited rental housing stock available and issues around affordability often meant they would seek property in cheaper parts of the Borough such as Cockermouth and would send their children to the schools located in Keswick.
Our current property portfolio consists of 40 houses across 4 developments.
KCHT Mission Statement
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1. Set up a Community Land Trust to contribute to the stock of affordable houses for local people in Keswick and immediate neighborhoods. 2. Work with providers of affordable housing: statutory authorities; advisory and voluntary bodies; builders and local businesses; local groups and individuals who support the cause. |
3. Consult with and represent the wider community and those in need of affordable housing. 4. Secure a formula to permanently protect the Trust’s affordable housing so that it cannot be lost to the commercial market. 5. Include sustainability in the design and building of affordable housing (encouraged by the Lake District National Park Planning Authority). |
Our People
KCHT is a Community Land Trust, run by volunteers. The KCHT Working Group meets monthly. This is where the day to day running of KCHT is discussed, and recommendations made, which are then taken to Board meetings for final agreement and to be voted on.
We appreciate the grant support we receive from Keswick Town Council which covers the cost of our property management service contract with Katie Bunting, who has taken a tremendous administration burden off KCHT volunteers, providing a point of contact for our residents, and the coordination of all required maintenance and statutory surveys.
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Key: • Board Member ** Working Group
Case Studies featuring Keswick Community Housing Trust
Since formation, KCHT has been fortunate to receive support, both financial and non-financial, from the local community, Local Authorities and Government Agencies. In return we share our experiences of building houses as a CLT with other newly forming Community Land Trust groups and interested parties.
As a result KCHT has been included as a case study on a number of websites:
As a result KCHT has been included as a case study on a number of websites:
History of Keswick Community Housing Trust
2009
6 open meetings of Keswick Churches Together about the issues facing the town.
5 Nov 2009 – 1st Steering Group meeting where KCHT officers were elected and a terms of reference adopted
5 Nov 2009 – 1st Steering Group meeting where KCHT officers were elected and a terms of reference adopted
2010
17 Dec 2010 – registered as an Industrial Provident Society
2012
3rd May – registered as a non-profit, private, registered provider of Social Housing
21st June – Share Offer launched to support the development of The Hopes
21st June – Share Offer launched to support the development of The Hopes
2013
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January – Work commenced on building The Hopes
December – Official opening of The Hopes |
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2015
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January – Planning permission for Banks Court
March – Planning Permission for Calvert Way Development April – Work commenced on redeveloping Banks Court September – Official opening of Banks Court |
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2017
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Opening of Calvert Way
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2019
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October – Work began on Southey Court
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2021
Spring – Official opening of Southey Court