Community Assets and Housing Group

About the group:

The Community Assets and Housing Group, formerly the UCT Housing Working Group, has broadened its scope to focus on the management, protection, and development of community assets in the Lochbroom and Ullapool Community Trust, (LUCT) area. This change reflects the merger of the Housing and Regeneration working groups, bringing a more holistic approach to addressing housing, community spaces, and other vital resources, whilst minimising duplication of volunteer time and capacity.

The group recognises the importance of protecting existing community assets such as Isle Martin, Lael Forest, Morefield Football Pitch and Badcaul Primary, while also fostering new opportunities like community growing projects, enhancing rural skills, and supporting underutilised spaces.

Key Focus Areas:

Housing Initiatives: Continuing efforts to address affordable housing needs, including driving forward housing developments like the Dundonnell site, and supporting housing for key workers and housing with accessibility and supported living as it priority.

Community Spaces: Exploring new uses for existing spaces, promoting community growing initiatives, and supporting struggling facilities like with potential for collaboration and shared resources.

Volunteer and Skills Support: Protecting and enhancing the community’s human capital by offering training (e.g., hygiene courses and PVG certification) and developing a centralised volunteer resource or database.

Strategic Planning: Taking a comprehensive approach through tools like place plans, climate action plans, and feasibility studies to ensure community needs are met efficiently and sustainably.

Recent Progress:

At the LUCT AGM in November 2024, community feedback highlighted the urgency of protecting enthusiasm, volunteers, and key physical and human assets. Priorities identified include addressing capacity issues among local groups, enabling joined-up thinking with resource sharing, and auditing the use of services and spaces to maximise their utility.