Print This Page
Useful Links
1. Other Self Help Housing Organisations
See Directory of Existing Projects for details of other organisations.
2. Undertaking Self Help Housing and Setting Up A Housing Project
The FSA – information about registering as a housing co-op or society for the benefit of the community
A list of all organisations offering model rules
http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/forms/accepted_list.pdf
CDS Co-operatives – sponsor model rules
Catalyst Collective – sponsor model rules
http://www.catalystcollective.co.uk/
Companies House – information about becoming a limited company
http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk
The Charity Commission – information about registering as a charity
Social Enterprise Co-alition – information about social enterprises
3. Getting Hold Of Property
Details of all Local Authorities
Direct.gov: All Local Authorities
Details of London Local Authorities
http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/
Details of housing associations
The Land Registry: Search for who owns a property
The Empty Homes Agency: Lots of information about empty property
Report Empty Property: A website where people can report empty properties
Freedom Of Information Inquiries: How to submit a request
Google Street View: View streets and properties
http://maps.google.co.uk/help/maps/streetview/index.html
4. Funding Repairs & Project Running Costs
Temporary Social Housing Grant – How TSHG Works
http://cfg.housingcorp.gov.uk/server/show/nav.3527
Funder Finder – Free Database of charitable funders plus additional information that can be purchased
Funding Central – NCVO’s new site listing 4,000 national, regional and local funders
Directory For Social Change – Publishers of excellent guides to grant making trusts
The Big Lottery – Runs a range of funding programmes
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/
Awards For All – A small grants programme ( less than £10k) from the Big Lottery
http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/index-england.html
Green Grants – A site with information about green grants & loans
Supporting People: Details of the government’s supporting people programme
Community Development Finance Association – umbrella body for community finance institutions which make loans to community organisations
Community Repaint- A source of free paint
http://www.communityrepaint.org.uk/
5. Organising Repairs To Properties
Health & Safety: The Health & Safety Executive website
http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/buildingcontrol.htm#a2
HSE: Free Leaflets From The HSE:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/leaflets.htm
Temporary Social Housing Grant Standards
http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/upload/pdf/Design_quality_standards.pdf
Planning Permission: Advice about planning permission
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1011888239467.html
Building Research Establishment
CRASH: A small charity providing technical help to projects dealing with single homelessness
Centre For Alternative Technology
The Glass House: A charity offering design advice, training and project support to projects focusing on neighborhoods, housing and community buildings
http://www.theglasshouse.org.uk/
6. Using A Volunteer Workforce
Volunteering England – Loads of useful information about all aspects of volunteering
Direct Gov. – more information about voluntering
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Gettinginvolvedinyourcommunity/Volunteering/index.htm
7. Agreements With Owners & Occupants
The Ethical Property Company: Advice on leases with owners
http://www.ethicalproperty.org.uk -.
Direct Gov – Booklet on Shorthold Tenancies
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/assuredassuredtenants
8. On-Site Training Opportunities
JobCentre Plus ; Information about training and courses
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/index.html
Connexions – A source of good information about learning/training for young people
http://www.connexions-direct.com/index.cfm?go=Learning
Direct Gov. – NVQs explained
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/QualificationsExplained/DG_10039029
City & Guilds; City & Guilds Qualifications explained
http://www.cityandguilds.com/cps/rde/xchg/SID-0E10D229-311A900B/cgonline/hs.xsl/12908.html
Streetmate : A very good website dealing with homelessness, training and education issues
9. Housing & Homelessness Organisations
Information and advice about homelessness issues:
Homeless Link: A membership organisation which supports front line homelessness organisations
Housing Justice: A national church based organisation providing housing advice and supporting church initiatives
Shelter: The national campaign around housing and homelessness
Shelter Cymru are running an empty property project which is working with local authorities to encourage them to bring properties back into use. Could help with approaching a local authority.
http://www.sheltercymru.org.uk/
Crisis: The national charity for single homeless people.
Praxis: Resources for refugees
Refugee Council
10. National Umbrella Bodies Supporting Community Organisations
National bodies providing information and support to local community based organisations. Use their site to identify their members local to you, who could be a good place to find out more about local opportunities/ resources.
National Association Of Voluntary & Community Action -Resourcing a network of 350 local voluntary and community infrastructure organisations throughout England.
Development Trust Association: The DTA is the leading network of community enterprise practitioners dedicated to helping people set up local development trusts which promote local enterprises and the acquisition of community assets.
Community Matters: Community Matters is the nationwide federation for small community associations and similar organisations promoting and supporting action by ordinary people in response the needs in their neighbourhoods and communities.
Community Self Build Agency: The CSBA supports groups wanting to undertake self-build projects ( ie where groups acquire land and then go on toactually build permanent housing for themselves – as opposed to making use of empty property)
http://www.communityselfbuildagency.org.uk/
