Provision of affordable housing to support the sustainable regeneration of our island community
Estimated Price
1425000
We want to build three new energy-efficient family-sized homes on Canna & Sanday, the first purpose-built affordable housing the islands have seen. All three houses will be 3 bedroomed family homes, as our priority is to attract and retain families with children. The houses will be owned by IoCCDT and leased at affordable rents to new and existing residents according to their housing needs, under a clear and transparent housing allocations policy which addresses the community's priorities. With around 20 permanent residents, and an ageing demographic structure, Canna's community is fragile. We need to attract more younger people able to take over the running of the island’s infrastructure and facilities, to quite literally keep the lights on. We consider that a population of 30-40 full-time residents would be more stable and resilient for a small remote island like Canna. We are especially keen to have children living on Canna again, with the possibility of re-opening the islands’ mothballed primary school. Lack of housing is the main barrier to attracting new residents to Canna – the islands’ existing housing stock is fully occupied and it is an annual struggle to find accommodation for staff in the island’s businesses. Increasing the islands' housing stock and attracting more people to live on Canna is the over-arching objective of our community development plan. We have been progressing this community-led housing project for over 5 years, acquiring sites in 2023 and obtaining planning approval in 2025. We have recently been out to tender and are hoping to start construction in 2026-27.
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