Housing Co-ops & Resilient Living

CHIBAHBrighton & Hove Housing Conference 2012

Michael Creedy April 2012©

A society registered as an IPS with the FSA

Controlled and managed by its members

£1 share

Non-equity sharing

Not-for-profit: rents cover costs

What is a housing co-op?

Benefits of co-operative housing

Sharing responsibility with others Learning new skills Sense of community Being the landlord, getting

the repairs done Sharing expenses Freedom to put pictures on

the walls! Shared values Truly affordable rent

Types of housing co-op

Industrial & Provident Society: Ownership co-ops own the freehold Self Help co-ops lease from owners Tenant Managed Organisations take stock Transfers from LAs or RPs

How are co-ops organised?

Governance:Registered RulesFully Mutual status – all tenants must be members

Democracy:First Co-operative Principle: one member, one vote

Management:Monthly meetings for all aspects ofhousing management

How many co-ops are there?Self help: 3 – 30 Brighton Rock

members

Ownership 50 – 400 Two Piers / Coin StreetRedditch Co-op Homes

TMO transfer 1,100 Burrowes Street

Gateway 5,000 Preston, Watford , etc.

Around the world 150,000 Canada, Japan, Sweden

Local Housing Co-ops

Brighton Rock Out of TownDiggers RingoDryad Rosa

BridgeHedgehog SeesawHornbeam StarlingsKeepers Two PiersLorgan Bug

Woodwych Alternity

Origins of Co-operative HousingThe 19th Centuryphilanthropist Robert Owen asked, “Is it not in the interest of the human race that every one should be so taught to promote the well-being, and happiness, of every man, woman, and child, without regard to their class, sect, party, country or colour?”

A bit of history

1828 31 West Street, Brighton!1844 Rochdale Pioneers1845 - 1851 Chartist Co-operative Land Co.1920s Co-partnership phase1961 Co-ownership phase1974 Co-operative phase

The role of Two Piers

1979 Two Piers Housing

Co-op landmark Public

Inquiry

Shared co-op housing permitted

across the UK

Barriers & challenges to development Lack of sustainable finance 1980 Housing Act 1988 Housing Act Lack of support structures Undoing the Secondary Co-ops Hindering quangos Lack of political support Public or private?

2009 Commission on Co-operative & Mutual Homes

Consolidated PriceWaterhouse research (1995)

Co-ops offer lower rents Fewer vacancies Decent Homes Standard exceeded 97% repairs done on time 94% tenant satisfaction

The Commission’s conclusions

“co-operative and mutual housing should be seen as an essential ingredient in local housing strategies”

“by 2030, each town, village and community should be able to offer co-operative and mutual housing options to potential residents”

2011 Affordable Rents

New social housing to be funded from profitsfrom rents at up to 80% Market Rent levels.

Many Housing Associations unable or unwillingto develop under this regime.

2028: Cheers Dr. King!

By 2030, each town, village and community could be able to offer co-operative and mutual housing:

Redditch Co-op Homes model Starlings: Preston Barracks? Self Help: £1 million EHCGP? The “Warehouse” bank facility

2012 - 2028: The Age of the Housing Co-operative

Resilience Partnerships Donated or discounted land retained in community

ownership Founded in truly ethical principles Hope in a challenging world