Shelter's Housing Action with Rural Communities (SHARC) was a pilot project established in 2000 which worked to address housing problems in rural areas of Dumfries and Galloway. Although this project has finished, we've set up a Trust to continue its role (see below) and left the information about it on our site for reference.

About SHARC

SHARC was originally set up as a three-year project funded by the National Lottery Charities Board in Scotland to tackle issues of inadequate housing supply and poor conditions in the villages of Dumfries and Galloway. Further funding was secured from the Community Fund, which allowed the continuation of the project to 2006. The project was co-ordinated by a Development Officer based in Stranraer.

Why was a rural housing enabling project needed?

It is widely accepted that a supply of affordable rural housing for local people is needed to ensure the sustainability of rural communities and to prevent rural homelessness and outward migration.

The viability of amenities and services such as shops, schools, public transport, recreational activities, etc., rely on a balanced community made up of many different types of household.

New and innovative solutions are needed to address the problem of unmet rural housing needs - solutions that SHARC hoped to help deliver.

What did the Development Officer do?

• Help village communities assess their housing needs through carrying out detailed housing needs surveys and research.
• Facilitate community action to get these housing needs addressed.
• Work with communities and housing providers to develop affordable village homes.
• Help to identify and acquire suitable development sites.
• Help bring empty homes back into use.
• Provide independent advice, information and support to communities affected by the lack of affordable rural housing.
• Develop, train and support a network of volunteer community agents interested in rural housing issues.

Who could the Development Officer assist?

• Rural communities of less than 1,000 residents in Dumfries and Galloway who want to retain their population and services.
• Landowners and developers who were interested in developing affordable rural housing for local people.
• People in rural areas seeking affordable housing options to ensure the sustainability of their communities.

Community surveys

Detailed community housing surveys were carried out in Auchencairn, Moniaive, Dunscore, Dalry, Dalton and Carrutherstown, Creetown, Springholm, Haugh of Urr, Crocketford, Lauriston, Bride of Dee, Glenlochar, Southerness, Lochfoot and Borgue. Ongoing work continues to take the findings forward with funders, developers, landowners and strategic planners.

Dumfries & Galloway Small Communities Housing Trust

Following on from the SHARC project, which officially ended in March 2007, the Dumfries & Galloway Small Communities Housing Trust has been set up on a model similar to the successful one operating in the Highlands.

This involves communities owning properties and land collectively for development by themselves or managed by Housing Associations, which would be run by local people for local people. This is a creative solution for many rural communities who only require a small number of affordable housing units to maintain the viability of their community.

Further information

If you would like further information about affordable housing in Dumfries and Galloway please contact Dumfries & Galloway Small Communities Housing Trust on jamie.dent@dgscht.co.uk