We are delighted to announce that It Takes A City Community Land Trust (ITAC CLT) have been granted planning permission to proceed with their first modular homes project. Cambridge City Council’s permission allows the four homes, built by our partners New Meaning Foundation in a training facility for young, disadvantaged people who are themselves at risk of homelessness, to be located in Hills Avenue for the next five years.
Making representations to the planning committee on 2nd August, Chris Jenkin, ITAC CLT Chair said;
‘Excellent work by many is starting to transform the journey away from the street, even for the most entrenched rough sleepers, but this journey needs a destination, somewhere to call home. And a home is more than a front door key, and more than a support worker. A home represents connection and community, the things that rough sleepers had to leave behind.’
‘Our well-regarded work at Crossways is transforming winter provision in the city, and we aim to provide the same “walk alongside and coordinate” support model in our modular home schemes, to reconnect people to community and provide wrap-around care, so that our residents do not just survive, they thrive.’
Residents identified as having ‘low to medium needs’ will receive a comprehensive support package from It Takes a City (Cambridge), including regular visits from staff and volunteers, and referrals/signposting to a wide range of statutory and voluntary sector organisations.
Speaking of the potential for this scheme to further galvanise the community’s response to homelessness, Chris added;
‘There are many who are waiting for the chance to be in their own home. While perhaps just a dent in the problem, a successful scheme that demonstrates a financially sustainable model would unlock finance and land for further schemes’.
Following the positive decision by the planning committee, Chris Jenkin said:
‘This is a very exciting moment after a lot of hard work by so many people and much generous support. We are so very grateful for the interest shown in supporting this development and we hope many more will join in making this a success, ensuring that more people have somewhere to call home.’
ITAC CLT will work with its partners Archangel Architects, Bidwells Property Consultants, Breheny Groundworks Contractors, Carter Jonas Property Consultants, CB3 Consulting, Ligna Consultancy, Munro Building Services and Stantec to prepare the site, install the homes and make the scheme ready of occupation. It is hoped the first residents will moving in after Christmas.
