A new model for good housing, building communities and developing individuals.
The UK is not building enough of the right homes in the right places. Housing supply continues to fall short of need, while home ownership among young adults has dropped from nearly 60% to around 40% over two decades. Rents are rising rapidly, with recent increases of 8–9% per year, and affordable housing remains in chronic shortage. At the same time, much of what is built does not match demand, with an over-supply of smaller units and insufficient family housing. The result is a generation locked out of stable housing, delayed household formation, and growing pressure on communities. There is also pressure for land to build on which both puts food security at risk and reduces open public spaces. The community living model responds directly to these failures by delivering scalable supply, better housing mix, and integrated support within a structured, affordable framework.
A Different Approach to housing and building communities
Community Living is not just about building more homes, although that is a key goal.
It is about creating places that support people — combining housing, services, and personal growth opportunities within a single, scalable model. This includes supporting the community.
It creates living space for a growing population while reducing risks to food security, protecting green spaces and repeating the mistakes of past high rise development.
You might see it as civic infrastructure, creating paths to property ownership and giving people a stake in new communities.
High Quality Buildings
Modern, durable, well-designed vertical neighbourhoods, built to consistent national standards and organised in manageable community modules.
Balanced Housing Mix
Homes for individuals, couples and families, aligned with real demand rather than developer preference and concentrated on integrated community living.
Shared Infrastructure
Gyms, cafés, workspaces and social areas built into every development, supporting everyday life and reducing living costs.
On-site Support
Dedicated staff help residents access work, training and community activity, creating pathways to independence and community contribution.
A place designed for daily life
Each development includes:
- Restaurant and café
- Fitness and wellbeing spaces
- Co-working and study areas
- Community and event spaces
Food, activity and social interaction are built into the environment — reducing isolation and improving wellbeing.
Where people live and thrive
Each building includes a small on-site team:
- Block Facilitator — builds community life
- Community Organiser — coordinates shared activity
- Development Specialist — supports progression into work
- Fitness Coach — promotes health and routine
The aim is simple: create an environment where individual people can become an integrated community.
Lower Cost, Better Value
Community Living reduces cost through design:
- Shared services lower individual expenses
- Meals available at bulk price or subsidy
- Community members themselves provide many services
- Mixed-income model supports affordability
- Reduced reliance on fragmented subsidies
This is a structurally lower-cost way of living.
Supporting the next generation
Community Living would provide a natural next step for those completing National Citizen Service or other types of youth training.
- Stable housing, including for vocational or university students
- Good facilities for work or study.
- Development support on site.
Helps turn newly acquired capability into long-term independence.
What’s advantages for the dweller?
- A home you can afford and rely on — modern, well-managed accommodation with lower day-to-day costs and fewer surprises.
- Everything you need, close by — meals, gym, workspace and social spaces built into your building, saving time and money.
- Support when you want it — help into work, training or wellbeing, without pressure or intrusion.
- A real sense of community — people around you, opportunities to connect, and a place that helps you move forward.
Build for National Impact
- Scalable to hundreds of thousands of homes per year
- Suitable for cities, towns and new developments
- Can be integrated with transport and planning reform
- Can be integrated with “supported career” approach
Benefits
🏠 More Homes – A step-change in housing supply
💷 Lower Costs – Reduced living costs and financial pressure
🌱 Stronger Communities – Less isolation, more participation
A New Model for Housing
Community Living is designed to meet today’s housing challenge while building living communities and supporting food security.
We welcome refinements to the proposal or your proposals for alternate solutions:
One response to “130 Community Living”
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This is a great proposal
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