Leeds is home to one of the largest annual West Indian carnivals in Europe, known as the Leeds West Indian Carnival, which has been celebrated since 1967.
The housing market in Leeds is characterized by high prices and a shortage of affordable housing. As of 2024, the average house price in Leeds is £232,000, with a slight increase from the previous year. The city faces a significant housing crisis, with many residents unable to afford housing. According to the Leeds Strategic Housing Market Assessment, 57.7% of occupied dwellings are owner-occupied, while 19.9% are private rented, and 22.5% are affordable. The city is addressing the housing crisis through various strategies. The Leeds Housing Strategy aims to increase the supply of affordable housing and support sustainable housing development. The city is also exploring planning freedoms to enable more housebuilding and homeownership. Additionally, there is a focus on understanding and addressing the complex issues of affordability, with studies highlighting the need for more affordable housing options, especially for low-income households and newly forming households.
Housing cooperatives in Leeds play a significant role in providing affordable and sustainable housing options. One notable example is the LILAC (Low Impact Living Affordable Community) cooperative, which features 20 eco-build households managed by residents through a Mutual Home Ownership Society. This model ensures permanent affordability for residents and serves as a model for cooperative housing in the city. While specific market share data for housing cooperatives in Leeds is not readily available, LILAC is recognized for its innovative approach and community-oriented living. The city of Leeds appears to support cooperative housing initiatives, as seen in the successful establishment and operation of LILAC. However, more detailed information on the city's specific policies and initiatives to promote cooperative housing is not provided in the available sources. No new housing cooperatives have emerged in recent years according to the available data. The city's focus on regeneration initiatives and creating a more integrated transport system aims to enhance connectivity and accessibility, which indirectly supports the housing sector, including cooperatives.