LGK in the Community is announced as the successful facilitation partner for Housing 21’s latest cohousing site in Birmingham.
The community group was selected after submitting an expression of interest in the summer.
The appointment marks an important step in Housing 21's commitment to fostering strong, resident-led communities and ensuring local people and stakeholders play an active role in shaping future cohousing developments.
Earlier this year, the housing provider announced the completion of its flagship cohousing scheme, Rupali Court in Lozells Birmingham with residents moving in from early spring.
Since then, community consultations have been ongoing for a second cohousing site. The proposed site in North Birmingham will comprise 29 apartments, car parking spaces and communal amenity spaces.
Established in 2014, LGK in the Community has developed a strong reputation for delivering community-based initiatives that bring people together through food, heritage, creativity and social impact. The organisation works across a range of programmes that celebrate local identity, strengthen community connections and support inclusive participation.
As the local facilitation partner, LGK in the Community will work alongside Housing 21 to support community engagement and relationship building, helping to ensure that local voices are heard and reflected throughout the development process.
The appointment of a local facilitation partner reflects Housing 21's commitment to undertaking community engagement and partnership-building activities at an early stage of project development. By investing in community formation from the outset, Housing 21 aims to ensure that future cohousing communities are shaped by the people who will live in, contribute to and benefit from them.
Cohousing places the community at the heart of its development, bringing people together to help shape the places in which they live while encouraging mutual support, social connection and resident involvement.
Dawn Carr, Cohousing Partnership Manager at Housing 21, said: "Building successful cohousing communities starts long before residents move into their homes. It begins with listening, relationship building and creating opportunities for people to come together around a shared vision."
"LGK in the Community brings extensive experience of community engagement, cultural participation and grassroots partnership working. We are delighted to be working with an organisation that shares our commitment to inclusion, participation and strengthening local communities."
Joy Hazell chair and co-director of LGK in the community said: “LGK as we are known are excited to be a facilitation partner. Community is at the heart of everything we do. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Housing 21 to support the Barn Lane Cohousing project and help bring people together around a shared vision for the future.
Our work has always focused on celebrating people, culture, heritage and connection, and we see an exciting opportunity to apply these principles to the development of a strong, inclusive and resident-led community. We look forward to meeting local people and helping create the relationships and sense of belonging that are so important to successful cohousing."
The proposed partnership will help establish the foundations for a vibrant, inclusive and resident-led community, while supporting Housing 21's wider ambition to demonstrate how cohousing can contribute to healthier, more connected and resilient neighbourhoods.
To find out more about cohousing, visit the website: Cohousing is a new initiative for Housing 21 where residents help to shape the design of the scheme