Image: Sanford Housing Co-op
Housing Co-ops
The first thing to do if you want to start a housing co-op in London is probably to join this mailing list for people interested in Housing Co-ops in London and introduce yourself. There are a few relevant Facebook groups too:
- Start a housing co-operative in London
- Coops For London
- London Cooperative Housing Group
- London Federation of Housing Co-ops
The best info about starting a housing co-op is published by Radical Routes a network of radical co-ops whose members are committed to working for positive social change. You can buy a printed copy of their guide, or download it here:
Radical Routes have also published a shorter 2 page document that outlines the basic steps involved in creating a housing co-ops, model rules for a housing co-op and a model financial spreadsheet:
- How to set up a Housing Co-operative: Step-by-Step (.pdf)
- Radical_Routes_Housing_Co-op_Model_Spreadsheet_v2.4 Radical_Routes_model_rules_v2.4
Somerset Co-opertive Services have also produced a useful 2 pager:
More
- Co-operate Not Speculate: A Report by The London Co-operative Housing Group (.pdf)
- Community Land Trust Network
The CLT Network has load of resources to help you start a community land trust - UK Cohousing Network
have a fantastic collection of resources - Mutual home ownership – A new route for permanently affordable communities (.pdf)
- Excellence in Governance – Code of Governance for Housing Co-operatives 2012 (.pdf)
- Bringing Democracy Home – The Commission on Co-operative and Mutual Housing (.pdf)
- More than Markets – Mutual and Co-operative Housing in the UK (.pdf)
- Forging Mutual Futures – Co-operative and Mutual Housing in Practice – History and Potential (.pdf)
- New co-operative and community-led homes (.pdf)
- Rebooting the housing co-op movement (.pdf)
- Financing Co-operative and Mutual Housing (.pdf)
- Co-operative Housing International has details of Housing Co-ops Worldwide, including an excellent history and overview of of housing co-op in the UK