Three Seas Cornwall to build new affordable homes on Isles of Scilly thanks to Housing Action Fund

Three Seas Cornwall have been awarded a repayable grant of £45,000 from our Housing Action FundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions. to support the development of a community housing projectA piece of work that delivers an output. on the Isles of Scilly.

This funding will enable the conversion of Carn Thomas, a disused primary school, into seven affordable homes for local families. The Duchy of Cornwall has agreed to sell the site for just £1, providing a unique opportunity to revitalize a historic building while addressing a critical housing shortage.

The project will remove the deteriorating 20th-century extensions, revealing the original 19th-century granite structures, and create homes with individual gardens and parking, alongside a shared courtyard and children’s play area. While small, these seven homes will make a tangible difference, allowing families to remain on the islands, supporting local schools and businesses, and helping reverse the gradual population decline.

Local engagement has been strong, with community members eager to volunteer and participate. The project will also serve as a catalyst for further initiatives, showing that practical solutions can address housing challenges and strengthen island life. Three Seas Cornwall’s support demonstrates how targeted investment can enable lasting impact, helping communities retain residents, build resilience, and plan for the future.

We are looking forward to following this development and thank you to everyone who donated to our Housing Action Appeal and for making this possible.

About the Funder

The Housing Action Fund aims to tackle homelessness and housing shortages. To empower frontline organisations and many emerging community-led housing projects to create lasting change. We were delighted to have recently awarded £138,610 in 16 grants.

Find out more about Three Seas Cornwall: Three Seas Cornwall

If you’re a community group looking for funding, take a look at our available grants.

If you’re interested in donating to help community groups such as this, take a look at our ways to donate.