Our Properties

KCHT was founded to provide affordable housing for working people and families in Keswick, and has built up a property portfolio of 40 houses across 4 developments.

Our allocations policy sets out the criteria that applicants are assessed against when we evaluate applications for our properties. These include demonstrating:

A genuine housing need e.g. that your present accommodation is inadequate or unsatisfactory
That you are unable to buy or rent privately at prevailing local prices
That you have strong connections with the local community e.g. you live or were brought up locally; have relatives living locally; or have been employed locally.

Available Properties

When properties become available, or new developments are nearing completion, KCHT will post details, including a link to the application form here on our website and advertise through local media such as the Keswick Reminder, and through social media. KCHT does not operate a waiting list, or retain details of applications after a property has been allocated.

No Properties are available to rent or purchase

'The Hopes'

Our first development was made possible due to St John’s Church generously agreeing to make a plot of land available at a price which enabled us to provide genuinely affordable homes.

This development was a new build with KCHT responsible for contracting the architects and building company.
Our first residents moved into The Hopes in December 2013, occupying 11 family houses - five 50% shared-ownership, five rentals and one which was sold off to help finance the £1.1 million development.

All 11 houses have three bedrooms and a garden, along with designated parking space.

One shared-ownership house has since switched to rental after the occupants left. They are the only residents to have left, which is a measure of how popular our properties are.

December 2012 and work starts on The Hopes housing development, with KCHT chairman Bill Bewley (holding spade) joined by fellow volunteers from the trust He said: "We have made a difference in Keswick with The Hopes and we hope to go on to make an even bigger difference."

'Banks Court'

An innovative project saw a disused block of public toilets off Station Street converted into four one-bedroom apartments after Allerdale Borough Council generously agreed to hand over the property to KCHT for just £1.

These small, modern properties with open-plan layout are popular with single people, who often struggle to find suitable accommodation in the town centre.

September 2015 opening: KCHT Trustee Jo Brand, chairman Bill Bewley, Trustee Wendy Bewley with Graeme Wilson, Head of Housing and Health, Allerdale Borough Council

'Calvert Way'

KCHT acquired 22 houses at Calvert Way as part of a 55-house development of sheep dog field by Atkinson Building Contractors Ltd, the other properties being with another housing association (23) or privately owned (10).

The development was completed in 2017 and our houses include two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four-bedroom houses, all with gardens and parking spaces.

Like The Hopes, our properties at Calvert Way are split between 50 per cent shared-ownership and rental.

Site plan - Plans for KCHT's biggest development first emerged in November 2014, with 22 houses as part of a combined £5 million scheme called Calvert Way to build 55 homes on Sheep Dog Field off Brundholme Road. Impact Housing would have 23 houses, with the other 10 being sold privately by Atkinson Homes. The plans were approved by the Lake District National Park Authority before work began in April 2015. The first residents moved in the following year, with KCHT having received more than 100 written applications for its 22 houses, reflecting the need for affordable homes in Keswick.

'Southey Court'

Our latest development has been made possible by Keswick Methodist Church providing us with their old church hall at a price which has enabled us to create a small development of affordable properties for rent on the site.

Work began in October 2019 on the demolition of the church hall at the back of Keswick Methodist Church and the construction of three three-bed and 1 two-bed houses on the site. The properties were completed and occupied in Spring 2021.

Members of KCHT gathered behind Keswick Methodist Church in Southey Street in 2019 before construction work began there on its latest project to build four houses for rent