Dyfed CLT is a community-led project, created with the purpose of furthering the social, economic and environmental interests of the people and land around Cardigan in Ceredigion, West Wales.
We are part of the fast growing community-led housing network, where local people play a leading role in solving local housing problems, creating genuinely affordable homes and stronger communities.
As a not-for-profit Community Benefit Society, we are committed to a range of community regeneration initiatives...
The Vision
Affordable, secure, high quality,
zero-carbon housing
Creating havens for both people and nature, in balance with the local climate and enhancing biodiversity
Public access spaces, such as community gardens, cafes & flexible work spaces
Promotion of culture, arts and music from the Celtic coast lands
Provision, supply and storage of renewable energy
The Housing
Dyfed CLT is working towards building a community-led housing site for 10-15 households with a mixed tenure plan, including units for people in housing need (as defined by local authorities).
The project's activities will provide benefits to people of multiple generations through the provision of genuinely affordable, zero-carbon housing, with shared ownership.
Using a cohousing-inspired model, the site will include a common house building, containing shared facilities, and outdoor space for play, food production and wildlife.
Whilst we are living through a cost-of-living crisis, with severe housing shortages, increased property costs and an insecure rental market, this project will enable people of all ages, both with and without equity, to come together to support one another in creating empowered, healthy and resilient communities.
We are currently liaising with other local and national organisations to develop a plan, complete a feasibility study and raise funding to move forwards.
This project is just beginning. Watch this space for more details, including designs, affordability details and FAQ's. We will be opening the membership application process later this year.
Please email us with any enquiries or ideas.
Permanently Affordable
The lack of affordable housing and cost-of-living crises need to be tackled urgently.
This Shared Ownership model will set rents and sale prices at a level which is genuinely affordable for people who work locally.
Community-Led & Built
We will use a community-led approach which will be driven by residents. Using local suppliers and services, we will invest in our area, increasing opportunity for skills and training.
We will include options for members to be involved in building the houses, both self-build and self-finish, increasing affordability.
Low Carbon Build
& Low Cost Bills
We’re committed to using natural & low carbon building materials, creating high-performance homes, reducing the power they consume which makes them cheaper to run and maintain.
Adaptable & Replicable
We aim for this project to be adaptable and replicable, so that other people can use it as a blueprint to create relevant, affordable and abundant community-led housing wherever they are. All of our learning will be open source and available to all
The Case Studies
The Support Network
Cwmpas
Cwmpas (formerly Wales Co-operative Centre) is the UK’s largest co-operative development agency, providing business support for social businesses and co-operatives.
Dyfed CLT have been fortunate to receive ongoing support from Cwmpas and their Communities Creating Homes initiative.
Down To Earth
Down to Earth is an award winning social enterprise with a 15 year track record in supporting people to bring about positive change, including creating remarkable buildings with natural materials and sustainable land management.
We are excited to be receiving mentoring from them, to assist the project in moving forwards.
Elemental Adventures CIC
Dyfed CLT has grown out of the team’s existing outdoor education project, Elemental Adventures, which has been running locally since 2016.
As a CIW registered childcare and school holiday club provider, it is embedded in the local community and works with various organisations, including Ceredigion Council’s Gofal Plant Childcare department, Theatr Felinfach and RAY Ceredigion.
During ongoing community consultations, it became clear that there is an urgent demand for secure, quality housing for all generations. Dyfed CLT is a response to this need.
Dyfed CLT draws on Elemental’s network of families, staff, volunteers and organisations that has grown over time, and uses the skills learnt including fundraising, community engagement, service delivery and project management.
Middlemarch
Middlemarch’s objects are “to carry on activities which benefit the community and in particular to support communities to deliver community-led housing (CLH) schemes, to provide support to the CLH sector, and to carry out research within the CLH sector.” Their core work focuses on supporting CLTs to deliver schemes of affordable homes for local people.
We have had a pre-incorporation consultation with Middlemarch and they are providing guidance for our project development.
4 Llan CLT
4 Llan CLT, an exciting new community development project, have hosted some really inspiring community engagements.
They have kindly shared their recent survey, including a demographic and economic profile of the area and an overview of local housing needs.
The Resources
What is a CLT?
Housing is a real issue in this country, and the commercial housebuilders just can’t provide all the homes, and certainly not the affordable homes that we need. So CLTs are springing up everywhere as local people tackle their own, specific local housing issues.
But what is a CLT? The National CLT Network has produced this great video explaining what CLTs do and why they are needed today.
