Supporting Councils to enable
intergenerational and resilient community development
Transitioning from Degenerative to Regenerative Neighbourhoods
From vulnerable and unhealthy to resilient and thriving
What we support councils with
As community development experts, we help local councils work in more integrated and collaborative ways, with the knowledge, skills, and processes to address their most pressing housing and community development challenges through a wellbeing lens and with more meaningful citizen engagement.
Knowledge in community-led & affordable housing
We build knowledge in community-led and affordable housing systems, backed by extensive research and case studies, and help councils understand their role in enabling the success of this “missing middle” sector
Climate-resilient regenerative development
We equip councils to be resourced in regenerative and climate-resilient neighbourhood development methods, including successful alternative forms of infrastructure, land-use, planning policy, and zoning
Engagement/
Public Participation
We build capabilities for meaningful citizen engagement. We help councils plan, design, facilitate, and evaluate engagement activities informed by the values, methods, and standards of the International Association of Public Participation Australasia
Facilitation of design charrettes
We help councils create multi-stakeholder design charrettes where place-making design for a project includes a wide range of experience and expertise, resulting in more innovative projects. We can coordinate and facilitate these charrettes.
Some projects we have assisted
Capability Building:
Whakatāne Community-Led & Regenerative Housing
-
Common Ground was contracted by the Homelessness Prevention Alliance to facilitate two interactive workshops--one technical for the Whakatāne District Council and housing role players and another for the wider community to build capability and network on the topics of community-led housing models, policy reform for tiny homes, and explore regenerative neighbourhood design
Strategy & Engagement:
Raglan Ecovillage Project
-
We assisted the ecovillage project leader and steering group with the project strategy, created alignment with District Council goals, facilitated a community-wide workshop on regenerative development, met with key housing role players to get buy-in and explore funding and financing, and provided coaching to the leader.
Strategy & Research
Waikato Community Land Trust
-
We produced a report on the feasibility of a Community Land Trust as a means of affordable housing for the Waikato region. We advised the Hamilton City Council to support its establishment. We networked with housing role players and community stakeholders to get buy-in, helped with the drafting of the trust deed. We coordinated a public participation event, "Connected Living and Affordable Housing," for 200 people which had experts from around the country presenting alternative housing models.
What our clients have to say...
The technical workshop provided an opportunity for people from the different groups to connect and we were able to have some very meaningful discussions, identify some of the barriers to enabling community-led housing and explore some practical solutions.
It was generally felt that a local housing strategy would help bring focus on the types of housing we need and would give validity to the various collective housing models available, including tiny houses and multigenerational housing.
My observations over the day was that the sessions helped build a common language for when we are talking about community-led housing and Zola did a great job in providing descriptions of the different types of collective housing models and how they fit on the housing spectrum. She also covered different aspects of land tenure with an emphasis on the benefits of Community Land Trusts (CLT) as a way of maintaining housing affordability and security of tenure.
--Karen Summerhays, Senior Community Development Advisor, Whakatāne District Council
Clients/organisations we have worked/collaborated with
“For this daunting task, to shape our way of living and thriving, Zola is amongst the experts we need to build strong and connected communities to create our future in the best way possible”
Anja O'Connor
Upper Clutha Tiny Home Community Facilitator
Our latest development guide and housing research reports
We have produced a large amount of content available as it relates to collective and community-led housing, regenerative development, council collaboration, housing policy reform, on the Common Ground website under the Resources tab and we have interviews with leaders and experts in the sector on the Common Ground YouTube channel.
Strategies for Regenerative Housing Community & Property Development
To be future-focused, councils need to be knowledgeable about the trends in regenerative neighbourhood designs and the diversity of housing models that centre people and planet. This document gives examples of each model, links to successful projects, and how councils can upskill in this field and support community-led and mission-driven housing initiatives.
Enabling Housing for Women & Ethnic Women in Aotearoa
This report provides key insights from research undertaken to identify factors that would enable better, more affordable and culturally appropriate housing for women and particularly ethnic women. It includes many successful housing models and organisations that put women at the centre. With research showing that for every $1 invested in housing for women, $11 of value is created or saved, this is an opportunity councils should be looking to invest in.
The Case for a Community Land Trust for Hamilton, Waikato & Aotearoa
After writing this report, the Hamilton City Council decided to commit its funding to create perpetually affordable housing by supporting the establishment of the Waikato Community Lands Trust. Kapiti Coast District Council has followed suit. This comprehensive document gives a clear case to councils to create a CLT for community wealth building, halting gentrification, and stewarding land and housing for generations and how to make it happen.
Next Step
Book a time for us to explore how Common Ground can support your council to enable intergenerational wellbeing and resilient communities through housing & neighbourhood development. The first meeting will be over Zoom.
We can make a proposal based on your councils' and communities' needs and objectives and we can deliver in person.