Hastings Commons is a standout community-led regeneration project that offers a fresh approach to housing. Affordable housing isn’t looked at in isolation but is linked to the services and the community around it, creating a foundation and an enabling environment for community-led housing in the long term.   

It brings derelict properties around the White Rock area of Hastings, UK, under permanent community ownership (to be held ‘in common’), transforming them into homes, social spaces and workplaces that will always be affordable. 

Many of the Commons’ residents were previously in precarious housing situations, like sofa-surfing or living with family. These tenants aren’t in the most urgent need of housing, but they are still vulnerable, so Hastings Commons is filling the gap by providing homes for those who might otherwise be overlooked, and therefore trapped in downward spiral of insecure housing.  

The Commons is also committed to preserving the history and culture of the town. Many of the buildings have historic significance, the social spaces promote inclusion, educational and training opportunities, and workspaces host creative and environmentally-responsible businesses. It encourages local people to take control and shape their neighbourhood so they feel connected, involved, and proud to live in the seaside town. So far, 15 residents, 160 commercial tenants and 602 Community Land Trust members, as well as many from the wider community, have benefited from vacant buildings that the Commons has brought under community control. 

The enterprise’s mission is to grow its revenue streams in order to sustain Hastings Commons as an asset to the local community, owned and run collectively and inclusively for current and future generations.   

Social Impact 

At its core, Hastings Commons is all about active citizenship—the idea that local people are the best caretakers of their community, rather than relying solely on public sector or profit-driven entities. The focus is on putting people first, making sure that housing decisions are made with the community’s needs in mind, not on the basis of how much money can be made. 

This hands-on approach has created a strong sense of ownership amongst those involved. Many residents and workers within Hastings Commons have participated in the decision-making process, whether as trustees or youth leaders. This level of involvement gives them a personal stake in the community’s future, making them more invested in its success. 

There’s a deliberate curation of who gets to live and work in the Commons, using selection criteria to ensure that the residents, businesses and their services align with the Commons values. 

Environmental Focus 

Environmental sustainability is a key priority. Instead of demolishing old buildings, Hastings Commons is repurposing them, which reduces the embodied carbon footprint associated with new construction. The renovations are undertaken as retrofit for the long term, in line with Hastings Commons’ climate commitment, using air-source heat pumps, high insulation and low UV windows, PV panels, and rainwater harvesting. 

Hastings Commons has broken the cycle of real estate speculation that has blighted the town. Private companies have in the past bought empty historic buildings and left them to sit idle, waiting for their value to increase. Rather than letting these buildings decay, Hastings Commons property development arm purchases the buildings and renovates them to a high standard. For example, the Observer Building, once a historic print factory and an iconic building, has been transformed into a vibrant community hub and construction will soon begin on 12 affordable apartments. 

Funding 

Running a project like Hastings Commons requires a careful balance of partnerships, technical expertise, and financial management. The enterprise has secured over 100 different grants and loans to support its activities, which is a huge achievement in a country where community-led housing projects often struggle with funding. 

One of the biggest challenges for any community-led project is ensuring it stands the test of time, but Hastings Commons is designed with long-term sustainability in mind. The charitable property development arm Hastings Commons Neighbourhood Ventures, which took the financial risk to get the project started, is already one-third owned by the Community Land Trust and it is proposed to hand over full ownership by 2030, or possibly even earlier. This will ensure the buildings remain in community hands and continue to adapt to serve local needs. 

Transfer and Expansion 

The problems affecting Hastings, like a lack of affordable housing and underinvestment, are common in many towns and cities, especially those in the northern hemisphere. Hastings Commons offers a proven and practical solution to these challenges. On top of that, one of the organisations within Hastings Commons, Living Rents, is on track to become a registered social housing provider. This will unlock even more funding opportunities and make it easier to work with the local council. 

The knowledge gained is already being passed on to other community-led housing projects. Hastings Commons has advised other CLTs, like the Stour Trust in London. A new ‘hosting centre’ is being established as a space for community practitioners to learn and share, and there is even a course to teach people about development economics being planned. The goal is to keep spreading the lessons learned and core principles – community ownership, active citizenship, and sustainability – to other communities looking to take a similar path. 

Why it’s a World Habitat Awards winner 

Hastings Commons is a leading example and inspiration for other communities in need of affordable housing, regeneration and empowerment. It demonstrates what can happen when a community takes charge of its own future. By rethinking what community-led housing (CLH) can be and exploiting a multitude of opportunities, Hastings Commons is providing a legitimate alternative to conventional housing models: one that prioritises community ownership, affordability, active participation, and long-term sustainability.  

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