New Start guest columnist Paul Hackett of the Smith Institute has an interesting take on community, local and co-op home building.
The “volunteer-led” model leans towards the philanthropic Habitat for Humanity approach. This sounds great and I am sure is welcomed by those who are housed. I have doubts, however, about the the number of people that can be helped. How many citizens can be housed when you rely on the good will of volunteers?
Paul’s discussion of other mechanisms including co-operative, self help groups and land trusts strikes me as more realistic and likely to succeed in the long run.
To read more see New Start.
