# Straw-Built Community Homes The LILAC Community Homes are Made Entirely from Straw By M | Published 2013-06-02 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lilac-housing References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2013/05/uk-straw-houses-leeds.html) & [lilac.coop](http://www.lilac.coop/) The LILAC housing initiative in Leeds, England brings affordable and environmentally friendly homes to those in need. The LILAC housing community proves those in need with well-built and inexpensive homes. Twenty homes were constructed entirely out of straw bale and wood, making these houses extremely carbon efficient, strong and well-heated. The straw is a surprisingly great building material that’s cost-effective but doesn’t skimp on quality, insulation or strength. Home buyers don’t directly pay for the homes either, but instead put 35% of their income into a trust as a form of investment payment that they can get back if they move out before three years. These homes made from straw are also extremely stylish, well-kept and modern looking. The LILAC housing community also fosters community gardens, a community kitchen and laundry area and 50 bike storage spaces. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.5/10 - Popularity: 2% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Charity](https://www.trendhunter.com/charity) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Sustainable Housing:** The trend towards using eco-friendly and affordable materials, such as straw bale, for building low-cost homes provides an opportunity for sustainable housing solutions. - **Community-led Housing:** The increase in community-led housing initiatives, such as LILAC, enable individuals to come together and collaborate on creating affordable and sustainable homes that prioritize well-being. - **Affordable Housing:** The growing demand for affordable housing, particularly in urban areas, offers opportunities for the development of innovative housing solutions, such as LILAC's shared-ownership housing model. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Construction and Building Materials:** There's potential for the construction industry to offer sustainable and affordable materials, such as straw bales that can be used for building low-cost homes. - **Real Estate and Property Management:** The real estate industry has the opportunity to invest in community-led initiatives that prioritize affordability, sustainability, and well-being, such as the LILAC housing community. - **Finance and Investment:** The investment and finance industry can partner with community-led housing initiatives and offer innovative financing models to support the development of affordable and sustainable housing solutions, such as LILAC's shared-ownership model. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Dorset Co-Housing Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hazelmead.md) - [Cob Building Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cobbauge-house.md) - [Community-Made Eco Campuses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wolves-lane-centre.md) - [Balearic Island Housing Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/life-reusing-posidonia.md) - [Eco‑tiny Sanctuarys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tign-tiny-homes.md) - [Low-Carbon Biomaterial Bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cob-brick.md) - [Wood-Framed Housing Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/common-woods.md) - [Eco-Focused Family Housing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rewild-homes.md) - [Slender Alley Dwelling Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brown-house-1.md)