Who we are
It Takes A City Community Land Trust (ITAC-CLT) is a membership organisation with our Board being elected from among the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
We are one of a number of charities working to reduce homelessness in Greater Cambridge, including rough sleepers and those often referred to as the ‘Hidden Homeless’ – a term used to describe people who lack stable housing and are dealing with this in a more formal, less visible way. This can include ‘sofa surfers’ who live temporarily with friends and family, and those who sleep in their cars, on night buses or in sheds.
We are committed to building homes designed for single occupancy, to give a secure and supported option for those wanting to manage their own home, alongside those with similar experience, as well as the wider community.
What we do
ITAC Community Land Trust works with a number of partners to deliver innovative modular housing, known as ‘pods. These pods are located on sites identified as being suitable to develop small schemes available to local people who have experienced homelessness.
Initially, we were looking at utilising temporary land owned by Cambridge City Council, which was not yet in use for housing, and we worked very closely with them to identify the site for our first project, ‘Joy’s Corner’. However, the aim is for future sites to be located on permanent land, either owned / long-term leased, or hybrid schemes alongside traditional social housing in partnership with a developer.
We consider ourselves to be house builders, facilitators, project managers, co-ordinators, effectively landlords, fundraisers, and occasionally shelf putter-uppers.
History
Back in 2018, there was a homelessness summit, and from this a number of projects were set up, including one for support, one for women, an information project and a housing project. It Takes A City started as a concept, by 2019 it was a charity, and then in the spring of 2020, It Takes a City (Cambridge) was registered with the Charity Commission.
The housing project started after the summit was gaining momentum, and in July 2020, It Takes A City Community Land Trust was incorporated by It Takes a City as an exempt charity registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 as a Community Benefit Society.
The two charities, whilst legally and financially independent, do share a mission to support vulnerable people on their long journey away from the streets, and to make sure everyone has somewhere to call home, with the support they need. We also share a Founder and Chair, Chris Jenkin, BEM.
Having persevered through the pandemic and having faced a very steep learning curve, our inaugural supported modular house scheme was ready to welcome its first resident at the end of 2024, with the four pods being fully occupied by the end of February 2025.
Trustees
Our Team
Vacancies
Paid roles
Currently no vacancies.
Unpaid roles
We are always looking for potential trustees with a wide range of experience and expertise, who will bring energy and commitment to our projects, and hopefully broaden the diversity and thinking of the board.
We are particularly keen to hear from people with the following experience:
- Health and Safety
- Fundraising
For more information about joining our board of trustees, please contact us info@itacclt.org.uk.
