
Hastings Commons have been awarded gold in the prestigious 2025 World Habitat Award in partnership with UN-Habitat. This marks Hastings as the only place in the UK to be recognised amongst the nine winning global projects.
The World Habitat awards were established in 1985 to celebrate, identify and promote good habitat practices. This year, entries were received from 55 countries worldwide. Winners were chosen after an almost nine-month in-depth selection process by international housing experts. The initiatives chosen for the Awards offer proven solutions for housing affordability, ending homelessness, decarbonising housing and increasing climate resilience, and improving gender equity and social inclusion. All winners show real potential for transfer and scaling.
Over the past decade, Hastings Commons have converted 8,500 square metres of derelict space. Their efforts have positively impacted 6,400 people, building not just homes but a more connected, empowered community. The not-for-profit model prioritises long-term sustainability and permanent community ownership of land, accessible to all the town’s residents. The Commons approach involves and encourages residents to take control and shape their neighbourhood, so it meets their needs and increases their connection to and pride in where they live. Hastings Commons share the Gold Award with Tanzania Women Architects for Humanity (TAWAH), who address housing poverty and gender inequality in rural Tanzania. More information about the winners can be found here.
Dr Jess Steele OBE, CEO of Hastings Commons, says “Through Hastings Commons and the wider Hastings Housing Alliance we are leading the way to demonstrate community-led solutions to the housing crisis that also tackle other problems such as dereliction, decarbonisation, social cohesion and economic development”.
“Home is not just about housing units, it’s about building and nurturing community. The spaces people need are not just bedroom/bathroom/kitchen but spaces to be together. What we do at Hastings Commons is much more than housing: this is community led regeneration of a whole neighbourhood that had been seriously neglected, showing that there is a real alternative to top down models of regeneration and development.”
After ten years of paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future, Hastings Commons is just getting started. They plan to secure long term income streams to grow and protect the Commons for future generations.
David Ireland, CEO of World Habitat: “Hastings Commons are worthy winners, with a lot to teach the world about renovating a whole neighbourhood fairly, sustainably, and affordably. Even in a country like the UK with a strong community-led housing movement, it is rare to see such an innovative, effective and large-scale model succeeding with longevity.”