community led housing london

Co-operative

Lambeth Self Help

Lambeth Self Help is a fully mutual housing co-operative, representing the interests of members since the 1970s.

Lambeth Self Help are committed to providing, managing and maintaining a range of affordable homes for co-operative members where they can live together in a diverse and sustainable community.

They own 52 street properties; most of which are large Victorian houses. Several of the properties are occupied by single older people, who increasingly need accessible homes. LSH aim to provide smaller homes, more suitable for their ageing membership, on a several infill sites. This will free up some of the larger properties for families from the Council’s housing waiting list, where there is high demand for large family homes.

How we’re helping
We have advised on the development strategy and selection of the professional team, and are providing guidance on the approach to planning, and delivering the homes.

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Bow Creek Moorings

A group of boaters, currently using a private marina, setting up co-operative residential moorings to create a secure and sustainable community.

The project will provide safe and secure moorings for up to 10 boats, and bring new life to Bow Creek, helping to revitalise the river, and recognising the vital part it has played in the history of London.
As a co-operative, each boat will have a share in the ownership, management and responsibility for running the site. This will provide control over living and work arrangements and financial stability in contrast to the operation of commercial private marinas.

How we’re helping
We’re supporting negotiations with stakeholders to establish the project.

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Rising Sun Housing Co-op

The Rising Sun Housing Co-operative was formed by a group of creatives living in a former pub, when their landlord put it on the market. They are seeking investment to finalise the purchase and secure their homes.

The building is used as both a home and workspace. It contains facilities such as a recording studio, rehearsal space, intimate venue and design studio which members of the community are allowed to use free of charge. On top of this, it provides crucial and increasingly rare affordable housing and a space for young creatives to build networks and meet other like-minded people. In short, The Rising Sun is a hub for all manner of creative outputs and a staple part of the local art and music culture.

The residents formed the co-operative to buy the pub from the landlord who recently put it on the market. This will allow them to provide additional affordable housing and studio space for their members. Having already improved their EPC rating from an F to a D, the co-operative is also looking to take further measures to improve the energy efficiency of the building, including loft insulation, new draught proofing, more double glazing and solar panels.

The Rising Sun have raised almost three-quarters of the equity they need to secure the space, but are still looking for investors to raise the rest as loan stock with attractive rates of interest.

 

How we’re helping
We supported their incorporation and helped to commission financial modelling and business planning, which has helped the co-op secure mortgages in principle, and prepare their loan stock offer. We have been directly involved in negotiating with the landowner and agents to get their offer accepted, and bringing solicitors on board and are on hand to see the deal through.

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Brockley Tenants Co-operative

An established housing co-operative seeking to expand and adapt to the changing needs of their residents.

Brockley Tenants’ Co-operative has been in existence for forty years as a Registered Provider and owns 90 units across Lewisham.

Having paid off most of their mortgages, they are now looking to expand their housing stock to provide more social housing for those in need. This expansion will also allow them to adapt to the changing needs of their elderly residents, some of whom are no longer suited to their existing housing stock.

How we’re helping:

We are supporting Brockley Tenants with long term business planning to establish what they can do without putting existing homes at risk.

 
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Photograph by Peter Brooker

Plum Tree Co-op

A group of property guardians living in an un-used council-owned children’s centre, have been having problems with the property guardian company, who haven’t been maintaining the building, and intimidating them with intrusive behaviour.

The guardian company was liquidated in November 2019 after being found guilty of 15 charges in relation to other HMOs. The property is now managed by a new company, but with the same directors.

The residents have put a proposal to LB Croydon to pass meanwhile management to the residents collectively. They have been repairing the building and have established a communal garden and living space.

How we’re helping
We have provided information about other short-life co-ops with meanwhile leases or licences, and example contracts to LB Croydon, with the Confederation of Cooperative Housing, and supported the co-op’s incorporation.

 
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