A Community Land Trust Without Land
The Hastings Older Women’s Housing team (HOWCH) bring you the latest on their struggle to set up co-housing in Hastings.
For two years HOWCH has been negotiating with Hastings Borough Council (HBC) over a piece of land for senior co-housing in West St Leonards. This is an eminently suitable plot because the area is flat and is within walking distance of shops and a health centre: one of our goals is to live as sustainably as possible, with minimum reliance on cars. If we had legal interest in this land, we could access financial backing to support our build, and, being modular, could construct in approximately 18 months.
Obviously, our goals could not be met if we were to be situated in a rural or outlying area or, in fact, much of the Hastings and St Leonards town. Hills are not age friendly so HOWCH has been planning for a coastal location. Unfortunately, these areas have boomed in value during the pandemic reboot with land values increasing by nearly 9% in the last year alone.
In the email HOWCH recently received from HBC, we are told that they are “under enormous pressure to increase the supply of real local affordable housing”. They go on to say that their priority is rehousing of young families and the most vulnerable in town.
Artist’s impression of completed project
This prompts the question: are ageing women not vulnerable? Data shows there are many who live fearfully, in isolation with failing health. Even to access sheltered housing – not every older person’s choice – takes resources many single older women cannot muster. And is there any reason why older women don’t merit a sea view? Especially older women who want to downsize, shrink their carbon footprint and live as lightly on the earth as possible? Low running costs, shared resources and a car pool would all work well from the Bexhill Road site that we have been negotiating with the
council.
And have the council considered the environmental impact of any alternative plans they might have for the site? Would other builds be as all-round carbon friendly? Would there be a reliance on vehicles – which in our plans have been minimised? We feel it is a time to speak out. If not now, when? But more importantly, If not us, who? (Older men can have their own conversations.)
Our vision is inclusive with a common room at the heart of the community, opening to young, old and the diverse population found in this quirky town; an integrated vision for the future that has taken hold on the European continent. A communal vegetable garden and composting hub would be quickly in place and the fun, well-being and health benefits would radiate out to the rest of the community. There is a growing interest locally in setting up housing co-operatives, as evidenced by the gathering at Joyful Roots, St Leonards last Saturday. Community-led housing rocks!
• For more information on HOWCH visit www.howch.org To support forward thinking co-housing (Independent Together) for older women, please mail your local councillor.
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Getting your message out there. Good luck.
Kelly