MISSION

Aims

What is Community Self Build?

Community self build can have two meanings. Our organisation interprets this as a group of people coming together to help the community by building structures which will enrich and be of use to the community. These structures can be anything from simple pergolas for shade in public spaces or play frames for kids right up to large community buildings.

However, we are also interested in helping people who would like to build their own homes and gain much more besides. As the concept of community self-build becomes more widely known, it is more likely that potential self-builders, rather than other organisations will initiate projects. Those without building skills, participate on the basis that they are prepared to make the necessary time commitment and be prepared to learn new skills.

What is Group Self Build?

This involves a group of individuals coming together and forming themselves into either a self-build housing association or a housing co-op. Where a project incorporates National Vocational Qualification training and the self-builders have the status of trainees, a different legal arrangement may be proposed. Together they build the homes and pool their resources. Each individual agrees to contribute the same fixed number of hours per week, for no payment.

The building work is usually carried out in the evenings and weekends and amounts to about 25 hours per week; 35 hours during the week where NVQ training is incorporated. For those who are not in work, their contribution is the same. If they are claiming Job Seeker's Allowance, they must still have time to actively seek work.

Unemployed Self-Builders

Under the Jobseeker's Allowance it is possible to become a self-builder, so long as you continue to search for work, attend interviews and do not use the project as an excuse to reject job offers. If you accept a job, then it may be possible for you to renegotiate the time when your self-build work is carried out or move into your home without the benefit of the reduced rent.

Tenure of Housing Provided

Community self-build schemes can be either for rent, shared ownership or outright ownership. Outright ownership is possible for those with reasonable incomes and some savings. Shared ownership is more suited to those on lower incomes; self-builders normally purchase an equity stake of 50% and rent is paid on the other 50%. (In exceptional circumstances, a 25% equity stake can be negotiated rather than 50%). In rented schemes, the self-builder will pay a reduced rent usually based on the free labour input contributing to a lower build cost. Sometimes a premium tenancy will be offered whereby a lump sum payment is made if the tenancy is vacated.