Housing Co-ops Under Attack in Lambeth

Over 150 properties used by short-life housing co-ops have been under attack in Lambeth.  The Borough Council intend to raise funds by auctioning off their short-life properties, many of which have been well managed by housing co-operatives for decades.  Sadly this short-term strategy will reduce the amount of social housing in Lambeth, put more pressure on the council housing waiting list, and incur huge legal and other costs.

Many of the residents have already been evicted, and only 40 properties remain to be saved.  Now is a good time to offer support to co-ops in Lambeth, as the remaining cases will be contested in court in April and the autumn of 2013.  In true co-operative tradition, the residents have taken the initiative and formed Lambeth United Housing Co-op.  They are demanding that Lambeth Council explore options to transfer the remaining housing to this 'Super Co-op', and stop making a mockery of their claim to be Britain's first "co-operative council".

How you can help:

First, inform yourself about what's happening in Lambeth: there is lots of news on the Lambeth United website https://www.lambethunitedhousingco-op.org.uk/

Secondly, let people know what's happening.  Lambeth United Housing Co-op particularly need contacts in the national press who might highlight their cause.  Also, if you know of MPs who might be sympathetic, pass on their details - they may be able to help with lobbying decision-makers.  You can contact Lambeth United on:

Mobile: 07965 818105
Email: lambethunitedhousingco-op@hotmail.com

Finally, there may be other actions we can take within the housing co-op movement as this cause progresses.  Watch this space, and be ready to offer practical support when the time comes.  Details will also be available on Lambeth United's Twitter feed @LambethUnited


Some more links:

What Squash have said about the situation:

"The utterly corrupt Lambeth Council in London has started proceedings against numerous squats and short-life housing co-operatives in the borough, starting with the eviction of the 30-year old squat Clifton Mansions in 2011, replacing the long-term squatters with Camelot guardians, costing the Brixton taxpayers £440,000 for the privilege. Now Lambeth (dubbing themselves the “co-operative council”…some sort of sick joke) are looking to evict all short-life tenancies in the borough to make way for more property guardians and no doubt smelling big money from liquidating publically-held property for quick cash. In response, those under threat have formed the Lambeth Super Co-op which looks to deploy a diversity of tactics to ensure that this does not happen, protecting their homes and the public purse from the abuses of unaccountable government."

What Red Pepper have said about the sell-offs

Lambeth Save Our Services

New online support service for start-up co-operatives

Co-operatives UK has launched a new online support service for new start workers co-operatives. This article is reproduced from the Guardian's Cooperatives and Mutuals hub - a great resource for co-op information. Radical Routes also has some very thorough advice on setting up a workers' coop (and there's a paper copy of this available in our office).

Isabel Benitez of Co-operatives UK lays it all out...

At Co-operatives UK, we get phone calls and emails every day asking for advice on starting new businesses, mainly co-operatives. Some of those who contact us are clear about what they want to achieve and how they intend to do it. Others have a dream, but no idea how to do it.

Many of those who call are at an early stage in the process. They begin by saying 'Me and my friends have thought about', 'we are a group of 40 professionals looking to', 'there are some neighbours in my community that' . . . .

Other people are further on - they have their business idea in place, they know the market, and are ready to start thinking about making the business a legal entity. They need advice on what the business structure is and how they go about making it a reality.

Co-operatives UK is today launching a new online support service that aims to help start-up co-operatives get off the ground. It is based on years of work supporting new co-operatives with specialist advice on their business.

It provides an accessible guide through all the basic steps to consider before setting up a co-operative, as detailed in the three step guide on the Guardian Social Enterprise Network over the last few weeks. The support service covers key areas:

• What is the business idea and the market? Is there a need for what your business will sell?

• Who will be the members, the people who own and run the business? Will it be the employees, the consumers or the local community, or a combination?

• How will the members be governed, ie., how will they communicate, work together and plan for the future?

• How will the business be financed? Capital from the members or through loans or grants?

•What legal form will the business take?

The online service brings together a host of useful resources and publications, both specialist resources created by Co-operatives UK, such as the Co-operatives UK Simply Series, and resources produced by other organisations.

It provides links to co-operative business advisers across the country and to services such as the Co-operative Enterprise Hub which makes access to specialist advice free.

And the online support service gives you the opportunity to find out whether a co-operative is the right model for your business through a user-friendly quiz. After all, co-operatives abide by internationally agreed principles about democracy and profits. These principles define their everyday running. Every business can certainly benefit from be more co-operative but not all businesses will want to be a co-operative.

Setting up a business is never easy. Co-operatives, in particular, are businesses that although enjoying a renaissance, are often misunderstood by business advisers and support agencies.

The good news is that there are plenty of resources, support and advice to help you make your dream a reality.

Co-operatives UK's new online support service launches today.

Isabel Benitez is member services support officer at Co-operatives UK

Previous pieces in this 4 part series can be red here (part 3), here (part 2) and here (part 1).