Building for Community: Ownership & Land

York’s affordability crisis is pushing people and communities out of the city. YorSpace aims to challenge this by developing co-operative, community-owned models that unlock local investment, protect land from speculation, and create affordable homes and buildings. This talk looks at the alternatives to traditional, private ownership and explores how this shift impacts, not only impacts our economics, but also our society, relationships, and environment.

York’s affordability crisis is pushing people and communities out of the city, making it harder for key workers, hospitality staff, and people in the arts and social enterprise sectors to thrive. However, housing is not the only land-related challenge, the high cost of commercial property also limits the availability of spaces for charities and community-owned spaces.

In this talk, YorSpace, a Community Benefit Society and Community Land Trust, shares their mission to shift ownership and agency of our built environment in the city. Through forming co-operatives, launching community share offers, and advising businesses, they aim to challenge the way we look at the property market. 

Drawing on lessons from Lowfield Green, YorSpace’s first affordable, environmentally friendly housing development, this session will explore practical alternatives to private ownership and dive into the impact that community stewardship of land can have on our local economy, relationships, and environment.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher YorSpace