Feature

Commission on Mutual and Co-operative Housing Begins Work

Contact: Adrian Coles Date: 29 Aug 2008

Print page  |   Email

Mutual institutions, such as building societies, have been a much more important influence in the world of housing finance, than in housing itself, in the UK in recent years.  However, that may be about to change.  A group of institutions interested in promoting co-operative and mutual ideals in the provision of housing has just established the Commission on Co-operative and Mutual Housing.  The Commission, chaired by the BSA's Adrian Coles, includes representatives of a wide range of interested parties.  It intends to update and expand the evidence base on co-operative housing and, to the extent that the evidence supports growth, look at ways of promoting a sector that in many other countries plays a much larger role in the provision of affordable housing than is the case currently in the UK. The Commission was launched at the Co-operative Congress earlier this year - details can be found at the link below -

Details of the Commission

The work being undertaken has already led to significant interest and coverage in the housing media.  Inside Housing, 1 August 2008, devoted no less than nine pages on co-operative housing, including a full description of the work of the Commission. The articles give a full description of the sector, interviews with those involved, an analysis of the role played by co-operative housing in some overseas countries, and some UK case studies.  Cross party political support was also soon forthcoming, as the pages of Social Enterprise make clear.

Further updates on the work of the Commission will be available through its website, due to become operational shortly.