hcoo:housing_co-operatives

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hcoo:housing_co-operatives [2025/12/10 09:42] – Dave Darbyhcoo:housing_co-operatives [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Housing co-operatives+This topic is part of [[gt:community|Community & culture]] and [[gt:economy|Economy & finance]]. 
 +====== Housing co-operatives ======
  
  
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-## What are housing co-operatives?+===== What are housing co-operatives? =====
  
 [Co-operatives](/coop/co-operatives) are not-for-profit, democratic organisations run by and for their members; a housing co-op is a particular type of co-operative whose object is to provide accommodation for its members. Housing co-operatives are an antidote to the common, but rather antisocial idea that housing is for investment and speculation rather than for fulfilling a basic human need. Other types of co-ops include worker co-ops, consumer co-ops and credit unions. A housing co-op is not the bricks and mortar (or straw bales, cob etc.), it's the organisation itself, i.e. a housing co-op can be set up before it has a property. [Co-operatives](/coop/co-operatives) are not-for-profit, democratic organisations run by and for their members; a housing co-op is a particular type of co-operative whose object is to provide accommodation for its members. Housing co-operatives are an antidote to the common, but rather antisocial idea that housing is for investment and speculation rather than for fulfilling a basic human need. Other types of co-ops include worker co-ops, consumer co-ops and credit unions. A housing co-op is not the bricks and mortar (or straw bales, cob etc.), it's the organisation itself, i.e. a housing co-op can be set up before it has a property.
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 <caption> <caption>
-The landscaping committee at this housing co-op in Vancouver provides play areas for the kids.+_The landscaping committee at this housing co-op in Vancouver provides play areas for the kids._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### History+==== History ====
  
 There are documents from ancient Babylon and Rome that describe shared ownership of houses, so co-operative housing of some sort has existed for thousands of years. In 1844 in England, the [Rochdale Pioneers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochdale_Society_of_Equitable_Pioneers) founded a consumer co-op that formed the basis of the modern co-operative movement. For more on the history of the co-operative movement, see [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_cooperative_movement). The Rochdale pioneers started to provide co-operative housing in the 1860s, and the first housing co-ops independent of the consumer/retail co-op sector appeared in Germany in the 1880s - established by the Bismarck government to improve conditions for workers, in an attempt to prevent revolution. The concept has become global, with very strong housing co-op sectors in Scandinavia and Canada. The largest single housing co-op project in the world (housing 250,000 people) is in [Turkey](https://www.citizenshandbook.org/unesco/most/easteur1.html). There are documents from ancient Babylon and Rome that describe shared ownership of houses, so co-operative housing of some sort has existed for thousands of years. In 1844 in England, the [Rochdale Pioneers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochdale_Society_of_Equitable_Pioneers) founded a consumer co-op that formed the basis of the modern co-operative movement. For more on the history of the co-operative movement, see [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_cooperative_movement). The Rochdale pioneers started to provide co-operative housing in the 1860s, and the first housing co-ops independent of the consumer/retail co-op sector appeared in Germany in the 1880s - established by the Bismarck government to improve conditions for workers, in an attempt to prevent revolution. The concept has become global, with very strong housing co-op sectors in Scandinavia and Canada. The largest single housing co-op project in the world (housing 250,000 people) is in [Turkey](https://www.citizenshandbook.org/unesco/most/easteur1.html).
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 <caption> <caption>
-New build co-operative village in the Philippines, with sustainable building materials, renewable energy and vegetable plots.+_New build co-operative village in the Philippines, with sustainable building materials, renewable energy and vegetable plots._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Types of housing co-op+==== Types of housing co-op ====
  
 A housing co-op can involve people living together in one large property or in separate flats or houses. The co-op can be tenant managed (i.e. the co-op could rent a property or properties from a private landlord, local authority or housing association) or tenant owned, where the co-op owns the property itself. A housing co-op can involve people living together in one large property or in separate flats or houses. The co-op can be tenant managed (i.e. the co-op could rent a property or properties from a private landlord, local authority or housing association) or tenant owned, where the co-op owns the property itself.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Sanford Walk Co-op in London growing food on derelict land next to their homes.+_Sanford Walk Co-op in London growing food on derelict land next to their homes._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What are the benefits of housing co-operatives?+===== What are the benefits of housing co-operatives? =====
  
-### Personal+==== Personal ====
  
 Mortgages are huge, long-term expenses, and people with mortgages are sometimes trapped in jobs they don’t like because they pay well; housing co-ops can allow people to find work that they enjoy, or have the breathing space to train or to start their own business. Members can learn the skills required for collective self-management, plus there’s always company and support, including child-minding, lift-sharing etc. Housing co-ops can be formed by groups of people with similar interests, such as musicians, home educators or gardeners; a group of like-minded people can provide a supportive, understanding home environment. Mortgages are huge, long-term expenses, and people with mortgages are sometimes trapped in jobs they don’t like because they pay well; housing co-ops can allow people to find work that they enjoy, or have the breathing space to train or to start their own business. Members can learn the skills required for collective self-management, plus there’s always company and support, including child-minding, lift-sharing etc. Housing co-ops can be formed by groups of people with similar interests, such as musicians, home educators or gardeners; a group of like-minded people can provide a supportive, understanding home environment.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Redfield is a fully-mutual, par value, registered housing co-op in Buckinghamshire that is also an intentional community where people eat evening meals together and make decisions by consensus.+_Redfield is a fully-mutual, par value, registered housing co-op in Buckinghamshire that is also an intentional community where people eat evening meals together and make decisions by consensus._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Environmental+==== Environmental ====
  
 Housing co-ops are not for profit, and don't contribute to the growth economy – the root cause of environmental destruction. Sharing resources means lower overall resource use, which also means less environmental damage. Housing co-ops can also have specific environmental policies around renewables, trees etc. that are lacking in the private sector. Housing co-ops are not for profit, and don't contribute to the growth economy – the root cause of environmental destruction. Sharing resources means lower overall resource use, which also means less environmental damage. Housing co-ops can also have specific environmental policies around renewables, trees etc. that are lacking in the private sector.
  
-### Democracy / decentralising power away from corporations+==== Democracy / decentralising power away from corporations ====
  
 Members have control over their own housing, with no outside influence, unlike the private rented sector, housing associations or trusts etc. All members have an equal say in all decisions. Co-ops help address the democracy deficit in the housing sector – removing the influence and profits of landlords and reducing the enormous amounts of money and power that banks gain from the constant buying and selling of homes. They are a way of taking control of one of the essentials of life – housing – out of the hands of the corporate sector and into the hands of ordinary people. Members have control over their own housing, with no outside influence, unlike the private rented sector, housing associations or trusts etc. All members have an equal say in all decisions. Co-ops help address the democracy deficit in the housing sector – removing the influence and profits of landlords and reducing the enormous amounts of money and power that banks gain from the constant buying and selling of homes. They are a way of taking control of one of the essentials of life – housing – out of the hands of the corporate sector and into the hands of ordinary people.
  
-### Community / collapse preparation+==== Community / collapse preparation ====
  
 Co-ops can provide housing security into the future. They represent one of the few ways to challenge gentrification. Screening and selection of members is good for harmony and longevity. According to a Confederation of Co-operative Housing report, many people who live in housing co-ops wouldn’t want to live in any other type of housing, because of the close-knit community they find there, with lots of human interaction and neighbours to look out for them. This often spills over into the local area, as co-ops are often well-integrated into their communities. Co-ops can provide housing security into the future. They represent one of the few ways to challenge gentrification. Screening and selection of members is good for harmony and longevity. According to a Confederation of Co-operative Housing report, many people who live in housing co-ops wouldn’t want to live in any other type of housing, because of the close-knit community they find there, with lots of human interaction and neighbours to look out for them. This often spills over into the local area, as co-ops are often well-integrated into their communities.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Politician gets a photo op with members of a Bangladeshi housing co-op in Birmingham.+_Politician gets a photo op with members of a Bangladeshi housing co-op in Birmingham._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
-### Join a housing co-op+==== Join a housing co-op ====
  
 Search online to find housing co-ops near you. Some may have vacancies. The most important thing to find out is whether new members just start paying rent or have to buy in. Visit first, meet people, get a feel for the property(ies). You may not want to join an existing co-op however, and there could be a waiting list. You might prefer to start a co-op with a group of friends. Search online to find housing co-ops near you. Some may have vacancies. The most important thing to find out is whether new members just start paying rent or have to buy in. Visit first, meet people, get a feel for the property(ies). You may not want to join an existing co-op however, and there could be a waiting list. You might prefer to start a co-op with a group of friends.
  
-### Start a housing co-op: support organisations+==== Start a housing co-op: support organisations ====
  
 Get a group of people together - work out if you can work together, and what resources you have. Quite a bit of background reading will be required, but there'll be co-op development / support organisations in your country that can help you decide on the best type of co-op / legal structure to suit your needs. Find a body to work with (see further resources, below) – they'll be able to help with registering the co-op, and they can also hold your hand through the whole process of finding property, writing a business plan, sorting out finances, tenancy agreements and what options are open to you etc. Often, someone will come to speak with your group. You want your co-op to stay democratic and transparent, and to have worst-case-scenario processes in place (including for evicting uncooperative members). Get a group of people together - work out if you can work together, and what resources you have. Quite a bit of background reading will be required, but there'll be co-op development / support organisations in your country that can help you decide on the best type of co-op / legal structure to suit your needs. Find a body to work with (see further resources, below) – they'll be able to help with registering the co-op, and they can also hold your hand through the whole process of finding property, writing a business plan, sorting out finances, tenancy agreements and what options are open to you etc. Often, someone will come to speak with your group. You want your co-op to stay democratic and transparent, and to have worst-case-scenario processes in place (including for evicting uncooperative members).
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 <caption> <caption>
-Inner courtyard of a co-op block in Zurich.+_Inner courtyard of a co-op block in Zurich._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 It's a good idea (we think) to have something in the rules that prevents members selling the property for personal gain. You don't want to go through the hard work of setting up something owned collectively, for individuals to make money from it in future; and you certainly don't want dominant members forcing through de-mutualisation so that they can sell off collective assets for personal gain, for example. It's a good idea (we think) to have something in the rules that prevents members selling the property for personal gain. You don't want to go through the hard work of setting up something owned collectively, for individuals to make money from it in future; and you certainly don't want dominant members forcing through de-mutualisation so that they can sell off collective assets for personal gain, for example.
  
-### Register and find a property+==== Register and find a property ====
  
 Your support organisation will organise registration for you, and they'll have 'model rules' to suit your circumstances, that are acceptable to the registration body. There'll be a fee for this. It might be a good idea to use their model rules, as they'll have years of experience, and will have thought of lots of things that might go wrong, and have amended their rules accordingly. Read them carefully to see if they'll suit your needs well. If not, you might want to find another housing co-op that you aspire to be like, and ask if you can use their rules. Your support organisation will organise registration for you, and they'll have 'model rules' to suit your circumstances, that are acceptable to the registration body. There'll be a fee for this. It might be a good idea to use their model rules, as they'll have years of experience, and will have thought of lots of things that might go wrong, and have amended their rules accordingly. Read them carefully to see if they'll suit your needs well. If not, you might want to find another housing co-op that you aspire to be like, and ask if you can use their rules.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Grand opening of a seniors housing co-op in Manitoba.+_Grand opening of a seniors housing co-op in Manitoba._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Finances+==== Finances ====
  
 Some lenders will be more aware of co-op structures than others. You may find a lender willing to provide a mortgage or, if some members of your group are selling homes, you may be able to buy your property outright. In this case, members with capital can provide money for 'loanstock' that's paid off - either from rents or from taking out a mortgage at some point in the future; or a property could be bought with a combination of mortgage and loanstock finance. As a registered co-op, you can issue loanstock to members and non-members, but it doesn't give those members more say (and it doesn't give non-members any say). Again, your support organisation can help you with all of this. Some lenders will be more aware of co-op structures than others. You may find a lender willing to provide a mortgage or, if some members of your group are selling homes, you may be able to buy your property outright. In this case, members with capital can provide money for 'loanstock' that's paid off - either from rents or from taking out a mortgage at some point in the future; or a property could be bought with a combination of mortgage and loanstock finance. As a registered co-op, you can issue loanstock to members and non-members, but it doesn't give those members more say (and it doesn't give non-members any say). Again, your support organisation can help you with all of this.
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 Starting a housing co-op means paying for property at market rates, which means that initially, rents might be the same as in the private sector. But as the mortgage (and / or loanstock) is paid off, rents will fall relative to mortgage repayments or private rents in the same area. Starting a housing co-op means paying for property at market rates, which means that initially, rents might be the same as in the private sector. But as the mortgage (and / or loanstock) is paid off, rents will fall relative to mortgage repayments or private rents in the same area.
  
-### Internal rules+==== Internal rules ====
  
 Work out your 'internal rules' – which are not legally-binding, but just about how you want to operate as a group, and for the smooth running of the co-op. Examples could be rules about smoking in the house (if it's shared), cleaning communal areas, how to resolve conflicts amongst each other etc. You may think that having formal rules and structure is not very collaborative or spontaneous, but really, they're essential for the smooth running of a co-op. See '[the Tyranny of Structurelessness](http://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/tyranny.htm)' for an in-depth explanation. Work out your 'internal rules' – which are not legally-binding, but just about how you want to operate as a group, and for the smooth running of the co-op. Examples could be rules about smoking in the house (if it's shared), cleaning communal areas, how to resolve conflicts amongst each other etc. You may think that having formal rules and structure is not very collaborative or spontaneous, but really, they're essential for the smooth running of a co-op. See '[the Tyranny of Structurelessness](http://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/tyranny.htm)' for an in-depth explanation.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Roof garden of a New York co-op that was previously a squat.+_Roof garden of a New York co-op that was previously a squat._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 The co-op will need to have business meetings. You choose how often, and whether meetings will involve everybody, or an elected management committee. You also choose how decisions are arrived at - by voting for example, or possibly by consensus. The larger the group, the less likely will be consensus and a general meeting. For smaller groups though, consensus is an excellent way to build cohesion, and allow everyone to feel part of all decisions made. Consensus may take longer than other methods to achieve, but the benefits may make it worthwhile for your group. See [here](https://www.southwest.coop/resources) for more useful information about co-operative organisation and processes. The co-op will need to have business meetings. You choose how often, and whether meetings will involve everybody, or an elected management committee. You also choose how decisions are arrived at - by voting for example, or possibly by consensus. The larger the group, the less likely will be consensus and a general meeting. For smaller groups though, consensus is an excellent way to build cohesion, and allow everyone to feel part of all decisions made. Consensus may take longer than other methods to achieve, but the benefits may make it worthwhile for your group. See [here](https://www.southwest.coop/resources) for more useful information about co-operative organisation and processes.
  
-### Help housing co-ops+==== Help housing co-ops ====
  
 You may be in a position to help the housing co-op sector by donating a property or leaving a property in your will. It does happen sometimes! You'd be helping to bring about all the benefits mentioned above. You may be in a position to help the housing co-op sector by donating a property or leaving a property in your will. It does happen sometimes! You'd be helping to bring about all the benefits mentioned above.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Student co-op in a property owned by the Phone Co-op in Birmingham.+_Student co-op in a property owned by the Phone Co-op in Birmingham._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## In the UK+===== In the UK =====
  
 - Most co-ops own their properties, but some manage properties owned by the council or a housing association. - Most co-ops own their properties, but some manage properties owned by the council or a housing association.
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-## Further resources+===== Forum ===== 
 + 
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:community|Community & culture]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/community). 
 + 
 +It is also in the section [[gt:economy|Economy & finance]] (Forum: [Economy & finance](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/economy)). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources =====
  
 - ['How-to' Guide for Housing Co-ops](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/catalyst-guide-to-housing-co-ops-1.pdf), from Catalyst Collective - ['How-to' Guide for Housing Co-ops](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/catalyst-guide-to-housing-co-ops-1.pdf), from Catalyst Collective
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 +===== Related topics =====
 +
 +- [[intc:Intentional communities]]
 +- [[coop:Co-operatives]]
 +- [[clts:Community land trusts]]
 +- [[comy:Community]]
 +- [[bsoc:Building societies]]
 +- [[coec:Commons economy]]
 +- [[coho:Cohousing]]
 +- [[crun:Credit unions]]
 +- [[soci:Sociocracy]]
 +- [[buil:building|Low-impact building]]
 +- [[hoco:Housing commons]]
 +- [[retf:retrofitting|Retrofitting & refurbishment]]
  
-## Specialists+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
  • hcoo/housing_co-operatives.1765359758.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2025/12/10 09:42
  • by Dave Darby