Support the creation of community-led, zero-carbon & genuinely affordable housing in Bishopston

Rocketing house prices mean that many households can no longer find affordable housing which has a hugely detrimental impact on their lives. In Bishopston for example, house prices are now over 8 times average household incomes. Asking rents also rose by 19.7% in Swansea county in 2022 and 11% in 2023 (one of the highest rises in the UK) whilst average wages only rose by 6.7% at their peak, making finding suitable housing harder and harder each year. This is a pattern being repeated in all areas of Wales and across the rest of the UK. 

GCLT are launching plans for one of Wale’s first Community Land Trust, aiming to build 14 genuinely affordable, zero carbon homes in their area, using an innovative community-led self-build model. The community group wants to show that developments where residents, the local community and nature are at their heart, are good for communities, biodiversity and the planet. We hope this will become a replicable model for more sustainable, affordable and beautiful housing across Wales. 

Alongside this we need to dramatically cut the amount of carbon produced by houses to move towards a carbon-neutral future. Currently this is not happening quickly enough, with almost all new housing still being built to very low performance standards, by big developers looking to maximise profits. 

GCLT are proposing a new model of housing, where houses are designed & built by residents, prices are kept affordable in relation to local wages forever, and homes produce net zero carbon over their lifetime. New housing should not always be a  sacrifice, and by careful design, and prioritising quality over profit, new housing can improve areas, increase biodiversity, provide much needed affordable housing, and promote truly sustainable lifestyles.  

Please sign this petition to show support for the project, and a new model of community-led housing in Wales