COMMUNITY-led housing - such as the 53 eco-home development proposed for Bridport - could be the answer to tackling loneliness and isolation, particularly for those who live alone, it has been suggested.

A new report released by Community Led Homes, in partnership with the Wessex Community Housing Hub, reveals more than 720,000 people live alone in the region and that two in five say they feel lonely due to their living situation. The two organisations are highlighting the benefits of community-led housing in combatting these issues.

Community Led Homes, which offers to support to community-led housing groups, is launching 'More than Housing', a campaign to support communities to make supportive, affordable, secure homes together, and is encouraging people to consider community-led housing as a way of combating the challenges of solo living.

Lin, 66, a member and prospective resident of Bridport Cohousing Community Land Trust, said: “My decision to live in cohousing arose slowly as a result of witnessing the choices that my parents made for their retirement, which seemed to be based on the prettiest property in a village close to a town that they could afford. With no public transport and my father becoming too ill to be able to drive, they were effectively marooned. I wanted to create a better outcome for myself.

“When I found out about Bridport Cohousing CLT it ticked many boxes so I moved to the town to become a part of it. The thing I am looking forward to most is having a common house with a space big enough to be able to sit down to eat together at least three times-a-week and to use for parties, dancing, music and other social occasions.”

Community Led Homes is offering advice, resources and support, alongside grants of up to £10,000 to cover start-up costs and technical support, for those who wish to explore a community-led housing scheme.

The organisation's Samantha Jones said: “Despite being a great way to live for many, solo living can have its pitfalls. That’s the beauty of community housing for people who live on their own. They can have their own private home with the back-up and support of a community of neighbours. Lots of people even choose to cook, eat and socialise with their neighbours in shared spaces that have been built into the development. This is more than housing. This is security, community and even friendship.”

The survey asked what those who live alone would most want to have in their local area. It shows nearly half would like someone to ask for practical help if they needed it, two in five want people in their local area who would know if they were unwell and close to one third wanted opportunities to socialise with others.

Elizabeth Maunder, from the Wessex Community Housing Hub, said: “Community-led housing means more appropriate homes for young and older single people alike, where mutual support and friendship can be found while independence is assured."

Bridport Cohousing says it now has ownership and full planning consent on a seven-acre site in North Allington, next to Bridport Community Hospital. With tenders from construction companies currently under scrutiny, it hopes to start work soon. Once built, it will be the biggest cohousing scheme in the country.

Find out more about funding and support at communityledhomes.org.uk