local authority:   Wandsworth Council

Southward Housing Co-operative comprises 36 street properties situated in 6 local streets in the Wandsworth SW18 area of London. Properties range from 1 bed flats to 4 bed houses which mainly date from the Victorian era. The co-operative has one specially adapted flat for a wheelchair user.

The co-operative was formed in the 1970’s by a group of local residents living in the area who were on the council’s waiting list but had no chance of being re-housed. By 1977 the co-operative had purchased and refurbished its initial properties and begun to function as an independent fully mutual co-operative. CDS Co-operatives has provided management services to them since 1991.

Properties are maintained to a high standard by the co-operative with recent upgrades of kitchens and bathrooms to some dwellings.

The co-operative is well situated for all amenities in a busy part of London adjacent to Garratt Lane, Wandsworth. The ‘Arndale Shopping Centre’ in Wandsworth High Street is a short walk away. There are several bus routes along Garratt Lane and Earlsfield rail station, which is a ten minute walk, has frequent trains to London Waterloo.

Southward Housing Co-operative has contractual tenancies and a 50% nominations agreement with the London Borough of Wandsworth. The co-operative maintains its own waiting list to fill the remaining vacancies when they arise.