Community Finance Solutions
Welcome to the website of Community Finance Solutions (CFS) - an award winning independent research and development unit engaged in promoting and developing integrated solutions for financial and social inclusion, and community asset ownership. Located within the University of Salford, CFS offers independent research and advisory services to social landlords, local authorities, national government, charities and other organisations and agencies.
Here you can find out more about our work and services, the experience and expertise of our researchers and associates, and you can download our latest publications.
Latest news
Economic secretary to the Treasury spoke at launch of CFS research project
Kitty Ussher MP, Economic Secretary to the HM Treasury, spoke at the launch of a study on the operational sustainability of the UK CDFI sector at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London June 23. This research project aimed to enhance the operational and financial sustainability of the sector through identifying, analysing and disseminating best-practice. The study was conducted by a team of researchers at the CFS and funded by Lloyds TSB. The findings of the study are summarised in the summary report Measuring Sustainability - UK CDFIs. The full findings, study context and methodology are detailed in the technical report Lloyds TSB CDFI Operational Sustainability Research Project - Final Technical Report.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the findings, please contact Pål Vik at 0161 295 2841 or p.m.vik@salford.ac.uk or Jennifer Powell at 0161 295 4454 or j.e.powell@salford.ac.uk.
CFS launches urban Community Landtrust Toolkit
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At the Community Land Trust conference in London April 30th titled Creating Affordable Housing – From Concept to Reality, Community Finance Solutions launched a toolkit for urban CLTs called Placeshaping: A Toolkit for Urban Community Land Trusts. The report offers a path through the maze of urban policy and legal complexities to show how Community Land Trusts can contribute to place-shaping in urban communities. As well as providing a number of tools designed to be useful to community, housing and regeneration practitioners, it also includes a number of case studies of ten projects around the country who are leading the way in community-based shared equity housing.
CFS launches publication on rural Community Landtrusts
Community Finance Solutions launched Then We Will Do It Ourselves: A report on rural Community Land Trusts at the national CLT conference in London April 2008. The publication covers the key issues for rural CLTs and demonstrates what is possible when the ingenuity and hard work of local communities is matched by a progressive approach from local authorities and funders. Seven inspirational case studies are included, which are the pilot projects highlighted in the Housing Green Paper of 2007.
CFS publishes financial inclusion toolkits for social housing landlords
With support from the Housing Corporation and Friends Provident Foundation, CFS has written a practical guide called Financial inclusion in social housing: Policy into practice to help social landlord staff and management to find creative ways to develop effective financial inclusion strategies. The book can be purchased from the National Housing Federation for £25 by following the link below. https://www.housing.org.uk/OnlineStore/Default.aspx?tabid=44&action=INVProductDetails&args=5996
Southern Housing Group launches financial inclusion service following CFS study
Following a study by CFS assessing the business case for financial inclusion interventions by the Southern Housing Group, the housing group has recently launched a Financial Inclusion Service to help residents overcome rental arrears, combat debt and financial exclusion. For more information, follow the link to see the full press release from Southern Housing.