So you want to live in a housing co-op...
...or you've heard of housing co-ops and want to know more... If so, please read on...
A Housing Co-op is a housing organisation where members (tenants) democratically control and manage their homes. Many Housing Co-ops also own their properties, but some manage properties for other landlords (i.e. the council or Housing Associations).
Most Housing Co-ops are registered as Industrial & Provident Societies, which gives the co-op a legal structure, allowing it to operate as a co-operative.
People set up or become members of Housing Co-ops for a number of reasons:
- having a nice place to live
- good services
- (hopefully) cheap rent
- having some level of control over their homes
- the community aspects of Co-ops
- a commitment to the co-operative principles, a tradition that dates back to the 1840s.
All of these are good reasons to be involved with Housing Co-ops. Whatever the reason, the Co-op model is an extremely good way of providing housing, at the same time as empowering ordinary people and communities. All the research carried out into tenant control shows that tenants are better and more efficient at running their housing than councils and housing associations. Strong housing co-op movements exist all over the world - Canada, Norway, and closer to home, Scotland - being particular examples, and in this country, although small in number, housing co-ops have a good record of success, spanning 25 years ...
But then, we would say that! The CCH exists to promote Co-operative housing solutions. We don't want you to take our word that Housing Co-ops are successful, but we do think that setting up a Housing Co-op is an option that all groups of tenants should consider.
We would also point out that setting up and running a housing co-op can be hard work, and it relies on ordinary people being prepared to do their bit to help their community. However, we think the benefits outweigh the work that has to go in.
We want you to judge for yourselves. The information provided here has been put together to help you decide if a Housing Co-op is for you, to give a basic outline of what you need to know to start the ball rolling. Please feel free to contact us further information.
