Lilac (Low Impact Living Affordable Community)

Lilac is a co-housing community of 20 homes in Leeds, UK, designed for sustainable and affordable living. Each household has a private home, but residents share land, facilities, and responsibility for managing the site. The homes are made from eco-friendly materials like straw, timber, and lime, and use solar energy and energy-saving systems to reduce their environmental impact.
Lilac uses a unique financial model called the Mutual Home Ownership Society (MHOS), which links housing costs to income, not market prices. Everyone pays about 35% of their net income, making the homes permanently affordable. Higher earners pay more and gain more equity, but homes can’t be sold for profit. The model ensures fair access for people on all income levels, including freelancers and part-time workers.
The project has attracted national attention as a model for community-led, low-carbon housing. It’s financially stable, with backup funds and flexible options if someone’s income drops. Shared spaces like a garden, common house, and carpooling reduce costs and promote eco-friendly living. Residents grow food, recycle, and limit car use to protect the environment.
Lilac has a strong social focus. All members help manage the community and participate in events. The design encourages interaction, shared meals, and child-safe play areas. The group supports diversity and equality and has hosted vulnerable people in need.
While building Lilac involved challenges, such as learning new building methods and navigating planning laws, the group has shared its lessons with others. Lilac supports similar projects and has helped inspire co-housing across the UK. The community continues to refine how it operates and aims to remain an example of sustainable, people-focused housing.
Since 2015, Leeds Community Homes (LCH) was founded by World Habitat Award winners Canopy and Lilac to support community-led housing across Leeds. Through a share offer, in which World Habitat invested £25,000, LCH raised £360,000 to buy 16 permanently affordable eco-homes in the Climate Innovation District.
The homes, completed in January 2024 after a redesign due to fire safety regulations, meet Passivhaus standards. Nine are discounted rentals; seven are sold at 60% of market value. LCH is now developing its next project and working to become a Registered Provider to scale its impact.