Our Mission
To grow and sustain the Hastings Commons as an asset to the local community, owned and operated collectively and inclusively, now and for future generations.
We look out for each other and look after the place.
We want to see a place shaped by local people for local benefit, that retains its character and diversity and is full of community-owned, vibrant, beautiful and inclusive spaces and homes, collaboratively managed and affordable for generations to come.
Hastings Commons is a collection of buildings and spaces in which commoners (tenants, team, trustees… anyone who steps up to take action with others for the common good) can connect to one another, grow, have fun and make an impact.
What We Do
We take derelict and difficult buildings into community ownership and transform them into homes, workspaces and social spaces that will remain affordable and inclusive for all. We do that through direct delivery, enabling others, and by advocating for change. Our focus is on celebrating and supporting people’s ideas and energy, making sure everyone has the power and agency to shape the neighbourhood and enhance their lives.
Since 2014, we have brought over 8,500 square metres of floor space into custodian ownership across a whole cluster of buildings in the centre of Hastings, renovating them to a high quality, offering genuinely affordable rents, and supporting residents and businesses to collaborate and take more control of where they live and work.
Our 6 Principles
It is not just what we do but how we do it that creates local transformation. Rather than focusing only on intended outcomes, we believe that if you follow the right process, positive transformation will follow. This involves mapping out the right principles of action. Based on our experience, we’ve identified six principles of effective regeneration
Commoning
Commoning involves people working together to positively change their environment, and in doing so taking opportunities to improve their own lives within an open and mutually supportive community
Building on what we already have
Building on what we already have with both people and buildings. Achieved through ‘darning the fabric’ (renovating buildings rather than demolishing and building new) alongside valuing everyone and recognising people’s diverse strengths and gifts rather than deficits and needs
Acting quickly and adapting as you go
Acting quickly and adapting as you go through reflecting and learning all the time, “turning failure into the development cost of the next success”, encouraging users to shape the next steps. We call this Phased Organic Development (POD)
Building agency and power
Building agency and power for people to act on issues affecting them, through sustained engagement, organising, care, and genuine co-creation
Actively seeking equity and inclusion
Actively seeking equity and inclusion through focusing on affordability, accessibility, and creating social value, especially in relation to intersectional disadvantage. Achieved through outreach, long term relationships and networks. Further embedding diversity across the organisation.
Our People
The Hastings Commons vision is much bigger than owning and managing buildings. It’s really about the people - or Commoners - who use, develop and care for the spaces.
Our staff, trustees, tenants and wider users of our spaces make up our community of commoners, alongside members of the Community Land Trust. As Commoners we are a community where it is normal to know your neighbours and contribute personally to the upkeep and ongoing improvements of the area.
