Bringing together practitioners, researchers, policymakers, funders and industry to shape research for community-led housing's next phase

Overview

Community-led housing is at a crossroads.

Many believe it has the potential to become the fourth pillar of housing, alongside, the private, public and charitable sectors. Across the UK, communities are demonstrating new ways of creating homes that are more affordable, resilient, sustainable and connected. Interest is growing from government, housing associations, investors and local authorities.

Yet despite successful projects, growing demand and increasing recognition, the sector has yet to fulfil anything like its potential.

What is holding it back?

What evidence is missing?

What knowledge and partnerships are needed to unlock the next stage of development?

This one-day summit brings together the people building, studying, funding and shaping community-led housing to explore those questions together.

Rather than presenting research papers, the day marks the start of a new conversation about how research can better support the movement. Together, we'll identify the questions that matter most, highlight the evidence needed to influence policy and practice, and begin developing collaborative, fundable research propositions.

The afternoon will look beyond individual projects to explore what lasting infrastructure is needed to support this work. We'll consider the case for an ongoing research network, collaborative funding bids, future events and, ultimately, a dedicated Community-Led Housing Research Centre.

The summit is being co-ordinated by UK Cohousing Network, with initial stewards including:

Sheffield Hallam University

University of Bristol

University of Leeds

University of Liverpool

Nationwide Foundation

These organisations are unfunded and helping to convene the conversation, not define it.

This is the beginning of a broader collaboration. Our ambition is to create a genuinely big tent, bringing together universities, communities, practitioners, policymakers, funders and industry to shape the future together.

Whether you're generating evidence, delivering projects, influencing policy, funding innovation or simply passionate about the future of community-led housing, your perspective matters.

If you want to help shape the evidence, partnerships and research that enable community-led housing to fulfil its potential, we'd love you to join us.

The Day

This is a participative summit, not a traditional conference.

The programme is currently being co-designed with our founding partners and will continue to evolve over the coming weeks. Sessions are expected to include:

Setting the scene: opportunities and challenges facing community-led housing

Identifying the sector's highest-priority evidence gaps

Exploring how research can better inform policy and delivery

Developing collaborative research ideas and future funding opportunities

Considering the future of a Community-Led Housing Research Network

Exploring the case for a Community-Led Housing Research Centre

Agreeing priorities, next steps and a mandate for future collaboration

Throughout the day there will be opportunities for discussion, networking, collaborative workshops and collective priority-setting, ensuring every participant has the opportunity to contribute.

By the end of the summit, we hope participants will leave with new partnerships, clearer priorities, practical ideas for collaboration and a shared commitment to helping community-led housing fulfil its potential.

The day will combine:

Short framing presentations to set the context and highlight key opportunities and challenges.

Interactive workshops where participants work in small groups to explore research priorities and develop ideas.

Structured discussions to ensure every voice is heard and different perspectives are brought together.

Collaborative activities to identify practical next steps, potential research themes and opportunities for future partnerships.

Networking opportunities throughout the day over refreshments and lunch to build relationships across research, policy, practice and industry.

Description supplied by the event organiser.