A NEW initiative aims to help rural communities develop and manage their own housing project.

Launched this autumn by Action in Rural Sussex (AiRS), the new service aims to increase the quality and supply of affordable housing in the county.

The Sussex Community Housing Hub provides technical advice and support to community-led housing groups and projects across East and West Sussex.

Community-led housing is developed and managed by local people to maximise community benefits such as local affordability and good design.

It includes:

* Community Land Trusts (CLTs)
* Co-Housing
* Co-operative Housing
* Self-Build

Special launch events held by AiRS include expert speakers, short films and networking opportunities with people involved in the initiative.

These events are for anyone who is interested in community-led housing - individuals, local councils or other community based organisations.

The hub is supported by local authorities in Sussex and the Community Housing Fund allocated to them by the government in 2017.

Throughout a project, support from the hub includes:

* Advice so groups can make informed choices using a suite of processes, tools, and options.
* Information and advice on funding, finance, development and management.
* Guidance on governance, management and community organising.
* Access to a range of (accredited) technical support professionals.

AiRS has been operating a rural housing enabling service for over ten years, helping to deliver many local needs schemes.

The hub will act as an intermediary between professionals/local authorities and community groups to facilitate understanding, constructive discussion and decision making.

Continuous technical support from locally-based, expert advisers is the key to helping communities navigate their way through affordable housing projects, says AiRS.

For full details, visit the Sussex Community Housing Hub webpage.