An independent commission has been set up to explore the benefits and problems of living in and running a housing co-op.

 The commission’s aim is to gather evidence about co-ops and, if the evidence justifies it, to recommend ways in which the development of housing co-ops can be encouraged and supported. The independent chair of the commission is Adrian Coles, the Director General of the Building Societies Association. CDS Co-operatives Executive Director, David Rodgers, is one of the commissioners. Other commissioners include independent experts drawn from the world of housing, academia, the international co-op housing sector, the National Housing Federation, the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Confederation of Co-operative Housing (CCH).

 David Rodgers said “This is an exciting time for housing co-operatives in the UK, it is our chance to provide the evidence that housing co-operatives can help improve our communities, create sustainable communities and encourage citizens to be more active locally. It will help drive our sector forward in the future”.

The work of the commission has been funded by donations from Accord, Trident and Hanover housing associations, CCH, CDS Co-operatives, and the Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust. The Commission has appointed the Human City Institute (HCI) and the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Urban and Regional Studies (CURS) to carry out independent research and service the work of the commission.

The commission is holding a series of hearings around the country to gather evidence about housing co-operatives (see the commission’s website at http://www.ccmh.coop/).  If you or your co-op would like to submit evidence to the commission or make a donation to its work contact:

Kevin Gulliver (Commission Secretary)

Human Cities Institute

239 Holliday Street

Birmingham

B1 1SJ

T 01384 230849 M 07837 576071 F 01384 252297 E kevin.gulliver@tiscali.co.uk