Why the time is right to talk about co-op housing

Now that Britain's 'best kept housing secret' is out of the bag, the Commission on Co-operative and Mutual Housing will be working to ensure that the recommendations of its report Bringing Democracy Home are considered by all major political parties when compiling their manifesto for next year's general election.

The report calls for political parties, social housing organisations, the broader co-operative movement, co-operative and mutual housing organisations themselves, and the financial sector to help achieve the aim of providing a mutual housing option in every town, village and community by 2030.

Since housing minister John Healey launched the report at Parliament with the help of the Co-operative Bank in November, significant interest has been generated. We have now set in motion a major campaign to disseminate report findings widely and to obtain pledges of support.

This is perhaps the most opportune moment to promote co-operative and mutual housing in the UK as both Labour and the Conservatives have committed to extending mutual approaches to public service delivery. Labour has announced an investigation into applying 'John Lewis-style' partnerships to public service delivery and the Conservatives' 'Big Society' proposes devolution to localised social enterprises. The Green and Co-operative Parties and, to a lesser extent the Liberal Democrats, are already convinced of the benefits of mutuality.

The commission's report concludes that the UK housing system provides an ideal testing ground for the expansion of co-operative and mutual approaches. An expansion of mutuality in housing will emulate the more democratic nature of social housing in most other EU countries.

After 18 months of evidence-gathering the commission found that co-operative and mutual housing organisations are unique democratically-managed social enterprises that have consistently produced the highest resident satisfaction ratings compared to housing associations and council housing departments, good housing management performance, and significant added value services for members and communities.

The wide and deep variety of co-operative and mutual housing organisations – more than 800 already operating across the country – offers a range of flexible models to suit the needs and aspirations of most people and communities.

Housing co-operatives that collectively own and democratically manage their homes are the largest part of the sector, with accumulated community enterprise skills.

Tenant management organisations or shortlife organisations managing or leasing homes owned by other landlords, especially council housing departments, have inspired change and stimulated communities to self-improvement. They also outperform their landlord owners.

More recently, community gateways and mutuals have made a start on injecting democracy into mainstream social housing and have facilitated largescale stock transfer in Preston, Liverpool, London and parts of Wales, so transforming the options available to council tenants.

Cohousing schemes are providing community housing alternatives to the alienation of modern life, especially for older people.

Community land trusts and mutual home ownership are beginning to offer a potential way forward for those seeking financially sustainable home ownership against a backdrop of a troubled housing market.

A vision is now being advanced that we hope will help us realise our goal of making co-operative and mutual housing available to all communities. 

Dr. Chris Handy OBE is CEO of the Accord Group