South Hams, in Devon declares a Housing Crisis
October 5, 2021
The pandemic has shifted many people's lives, changed how we live, and for many where we live. The Barefoot team has experienced this in multiple ways. Project architect Julia Wilson moved back to South Devon during the pandemic and continues to live and work in Dartington as a Barefoot Architects Devon satellite studio. The sudden shifting of populations to the area is really exciting but on a strategic housing infrastructure level creating a worsening gap between limited provision and fast growing demand.
We see this as an exciting opportunity for architects, change makers, Councils, community groups, home owners and developers to respond proactively with well considered and beautiful new places to live. The crisis is an opportunity to challenge traditional housing models and shift towards providing people and planet led homes not just profit. Barefoot Architects have lots of experience working in the community housing sector with a range of co-housing, affordable, and community led housing projects.
Alternative approaches include Community Land Trust projects in and around Devon villages, Co-Housing groups partnering with land owners as well as supporting Developers taking the lead to design for communities and biodiversity, and not just cars!
In relation to private home ownership the pressure of the housing market is also making moving increasingly difficult. This opens lots of opportunities for retrofitting older properties, reconfiguring and redesigning existing homes & opportunities for creative use of land for self-builders.
It's time to get creative, create networks and make beautiful and sustainable places to live to build vibrant communities! If you have a project, a pipe dream, or an idea in mind, please get in touch with julia@barefootarchitects.co.uk. The project below is an example of a project bringing together a local land owner, a Community Land Trust, Housing Association partner, and a village Elders cohousing group to develop a village extension in North Devon. The project is current in for planning.
