Control: LILAC, Leeds

LILAC is a co-housing community of 20 households, managed through a Mutual Home Ownership Society, a financial model that ensures
long-term affordability, shared ownership and control over the management of the development.

Residents secure an ‘equity share’ in the scheme by purchasing a lease from the Society with an initial deposit and monthly payments set at around 35% of household income, no matter what size the house is.

Residents on higher incomes effectively subsidise rent for those on lower incomes. Residents slowly buy their home through these payments and once they have bought the property, payments reduce and the money is used for communal benefit.

With housing prices continuing to rise in Leeds, this financial system is a form of shared ownership which encourages permanence, affordability and security.