Building Societies Association
Feature
National Commission calls for housing co-operatives in every community
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Date:
30 Nov 2009
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The Commission for Co-operative and Mutual Housing has called for each town, village and community in England to have access to co-operative or mutual housing as part of the mainstream housing system by 2030.
The call comes as the Commission launch their report, Bringing Democracy Home. The report is the culmination of 18 months of work researching the English co-operative and mutual housing sector.
The research found that co-operative and mutual housing has consistently produced a range of benefits including above average resident satisfaction, lower arrears, better community spirit and fewer vacancies and faster re-lets.
Speaking at the launch of the report, Adrian Coles, Chair of the Commission and BSA Director-General,
“There are many strong, vibrant housing co-operative sectors in other countries around the world. The UK has a strong and growing general co-operative sector, so why not develop further co-operative housing here in the UK?
“This would enable residents, through becoming members, to have the right to control or participate in governance and to exercise control over their housing environment, neighbourhood and community.”
John Healy MP, Minister for Housing, said” I strongly support open, democratic housing co-operatives. I’d like to see more follow in the footsteps of the 250 co-operatives already registered in England that have successfully led tenants to play a more active role in their local communities.”
The full report, Bringing Democracy Home, can be viewed via the link below -
