community led housing london

resource and advice hub

Tower Hamlets

Rode Housing Co-op

A small group set up as a fully mutual cooperative aiming to provide housing for themselves and others.

Rode Housing Co-operative comprises architects, housing professionals and community organisers who believe that housing is a public right. The overall aim of the group is to fulfil the housing needs of those involved while simultaneously addressing housing needs in the community. They prepared proposals for rented housing on sites released by Tower Hamlets for themselves and for council nominations.

They are now investigating converting underused properties around London.

How we helped
We provided technical advice on their Tower Hamlets proposals.

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.

 Visit their website

Platform Homes Self-Build

Tower Hamlets residents working together to create self-build homes on tight infill sites.

Platform Homes were successful in securing the Christian Street site through Tower Hamlets Council’s Affordable Self-Build Programme. They have a wider membership of prospective residents, but the site is likely to accommodate two homes, where affordability will be protected in perpetuity. They are aiming to use modern methods of construction.

 

How we’re helping

We supported the group in preparing a submission for the affordable self-build programme, particularly around governance structures and finance. We are currently supporting discussions with adjacent landowners, as the groups look to submit a planning application.

 Visit their website

Surge Co-op

Surge Co-operative aims to create sustainable and affordable moorings for larger boats and barges in London, making use of underused historic wharves in the Lower Lea.

Surge is a non-profit organisation set up with the primary focus to reanimate tidal water spaces with affordable, co-operatively run moorings. They are nurturing the heritage and biodiversity of the area and building lasting community links on land and water.

The group are collaborating with Thames Water to transform a strip of land and reinstate barge moorings, enabling the local community to have better river access for clean-ups and other ecological activities. This is part of a wider plan to provide and nurture affordable co-operative moorings, giving much needed security of tenure to a community of boaters with larger boats along the River Lea and further afield.

How we’re helping
We are providing guidance on how to engage landowners and continue negotiations, as well as financial modelling.

Visit their website