community led housing london

Ginger Giraffe Collective

A cohousing project aiming to create community housing for both those who have health and social care needs and those who can provide this care.

The aim of Ginger Giraffe Collective is to build a cohousing community comprised of those who have health and social care needs, such as disabled and elderly people, as well as those who can provide the necessary support, such as carers and students.

The project was formed by a group of disabled people, academics, key workers practising in the field and students who came together to reimagine the delivery of health, social care, and housing.

Guided by the principle of co-production, their housing model not only ensures that individuals’ care and support needs are met but also addresses the issue of housing affordability for key workers and allows students to receive a unique service-user based learning experience whilst on placement.

How we’re helping
We helped develop clarity to their innovative model and how it would work in practice, supporting an initial business plan.

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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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Watmos Community Homes

Watmos Community Homes was set up in 2003 by eight Tenant Management Organisations in Walsall. Three TMOs in Lambeth joined in 2012, aiming to get the same security and protection for tenant management. Watmos has a tenant majority on its board nominated by the TMOs, so the needs and wishes of residents are reflected in governance and plans. The board delegates decisions about local service delivery to the TMOs to maintain a high quality of service and local accountability.

The Ethelred TMO Committee have been considering redevelopment of parts of the Ethelred estate, and have held initial consultations locally.

How we’re helping
We have advised on community engagement and the role of local community leadership in taking the project further, and have helped to set up a steering group with Terms of Reference. We funded initial capacity studies and advised the group in the selection and briefing of architects.

 
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Sycamore Housing

A group living in the private rented sector and working towards a long-term housing solution.

They aim to have secure, affordable homes, combining personal autonomy with communal elements like shared space, decision making and facilities.

Several members are active in housing campaigns such as the London Renters’ Union and are motivated by collective ownership of property, rather than seeing it as an asset. They want to create a future community of 10 households in North East London with a caring and supportive environment and where residents are democratically in control.

They are incorporated as a Mutual Home Ownership Society which allows the accumulation of acquiring equity shares as part of monthly payments.

How we’re helping
We have provided advice and supported incorporation and proposals for sites in LB Waltham Forest.

St Andrews Place

Self-builders who have purchased a small piece of land for 2 homes with ambitions to create a 5 home cohousing scheme.

A family of self-builders purchased a small piece of Diocese of London land, and have now received planning permission for 2 homes. They are also interested in an adjacent piece of inaccessible land to allow a further 3 units to be built, to create a small cohousing project.

How we’re helping
We provided advice in securing the first site and assisted on negotiating Heads of Terms. We are also advising on the strategy to secure the larger cohousing project.

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