community led housing london

Cohousing

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.

Visit their website

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.

Visit their website

Holloway Cohousing

A cohousing community forming part of the Holloway Women’s Prison redevelopment.

The group aims to create a cohousing community of 20-30 households as part of the plans to redevelop the former Holloway Women’s Prison site in Islington. This would be a key part of the overall development of 1,100 homes and community facilities, including the Women’s Building.

They are developing plans in consultation with Peabody Housing Association and wider communities. The group are holding regular meetings to share ideas and encourage anyone interested to join the discussion.

How we’re helping
We have advised on the early stages of building interest from potential members and promoted outreach.

 
Visit their web page

Fleet Cohousing

The group is formed mostly of older households looking to downsize, with a very narrow search area around Dartmouth Park, with clear idea of why they want to be there.
The scheme could include housing for younger people as well as respite care, although they are not looking for new members until the site is clear.