Co-operative housing supporter, Andrew Pakes MP, has put a Ten Minute Rule Bill to Parliament to make provision for people living in homes owned by co-operatives to live there because they are members of the co-op—not as renters or owners in the usual legal sense.
The bill advocates for the recognition of co-operative housing tenure, aiming to provide legal clarity and support for co-operative housing schemes across the UK, as is the norm in many other European countries.
In his speech, he highlighted the importance of co-operative housing models, emphasising their potential to provide affordable and community-driven housing solutions. He also discussed the need for legislative support to enable the growth of co-operative housing initiatives across the country to help double the size of the co-operative sector here in the UK, a commitment made by the current government.
CCH was pleased to be able to accompany Andrew on his recent visit to the Coin Street co-operatives on the Southbank in London prior to the Bill being put forward. Andrew said “These are more than just homes. For the people who live there, they are routes to training, education, decision-making and genuine power. This is housing done differently.”
Formerly a Director of one of our partners – CDS Co-operatives, Andrew said ‘projects like Coin Street are thriving, but they are the exception rather than the rule, and have fought an uphill battle. Without a legal definition of tenure, advisors, regulators, lawyers, banks and others, who would normally be tasked with supporting people with their housing, aren’t properly equipped to do so…. By taking the simple step of defining co-operative housing tenure in law, my Bill will begin the work of providing a level playing field for co-operative housing projects, ensuring that more communities can benefit.’
Watch more about Andrew’s visit to Coin Street here.