HCH Press release – August 26, 2024
Solving Orkney’s invisible housing crisis for the older generation
There is a housing crisis in Orkney, and it is not just about the cost of building. We have a shortage of houses to rent and to buy, and a growing population. This particularly affects three important groups of people.
People and their families who are coming here to work;
Local people who want to stay and build their lives here;
Older people who are effectively trapped in inappropriate houses that could be released for families.
The last is an invisible and growing group, who can suddenly find themselves with an urgent need due to a fall or to a partner requiring care.
Local and central government grants have not, on the whole, kept pace with rising building costs. High interest rates have restricted the amount that can be borrowed commercially, leaving many community-led housing projects, such as Hope Cohousing with a funding gap.
The Communities Housing Trust (CHT), working with Hope Cohousing (HCH), is offering one solution to the housing crisis for older people. They will create six appropriate, accessible, and affordable homes for rent – and free up bigger houses for families. The project, in St Margaret’s Hope, is shovel-ready but needs urgently to complete the financial package and find the remaining funds.
Jenny Rambridge, Chair of Hope Cohousing, explained, “we are working hard with the Communities Housing Trust to raise funds from charitable trusts and other bodies including Islands Council”. She went on to say, “Cohousing is a housing model where each household has their own independent home within a supportive and sharing community. Tackling issues such as loneliness, and social isolation, the development of senior cohousing communities will also help to take some of the pressure off struggling health and social care services. An additional benefit is that older people moving into appropriate, affordable homes will free up houses for families”.
HCH Director Trish Spence added: “Since we started this project in 2019 building costs have soared, but the Scottish Government grant level has remained static and there are currently no available funds from the OIC. It turns out this is the very worst time to be trying to build – yet these homes are desperately needed. They are needed now, but it’s important to say that they will benefit many generations”.
Talking about working with the Communities Housing Trust, HCH Secretary Cath Kirkwood explained: “We were delighted and encouraged earlier this year to partner with the Communities Housing Trust. As a charity that facilitates community-led housing projects across Scotland, their knowledge and expertise are really helping us move forward with the project. We believe the innovative nature of this project fits perfectly with Orkney’s pioneering spirit. Our ambition is that the first entirely rental cohousing project in the UK will be built here.”
Members of HCH this week thanked MSPs for their continued support. Jenny added, “We are so grateful to the MSP’s who have supported us on our journey, especially Liam McArthur, Emma Roddick and Ariane Burgess. However, there is still more that needs to be done to get shovels in the ground and get this project completed.”
HCH Email: info.hopecohousing@gmail.com