Self organised Housing Co-ops What can we learn?

1. Self organised Housing Co-opsWhat can we learn? David Rodgers Executive DirectorCDS Co-operativeswww.cds.coopPresidentInternational Co-operative Alliance Housingwww.icahousing.coop

2. What can we learn from the experience of housing co-operatives in the UK and Internationally? • Where did we come from? • International Co-operative Alliance and the scope and scale of Co-operative enterprise • Housing co-operatives nationally and internationally • The lessons that can be learned

3. Rochdale Pioneers: The Founders of Co-operative business enterprise • 28 weavers in Rochdale, Lancashire, opened their first co-operative store on 21 December 1844 • this was the birth-date of the international co-operative movement

4. International Co-operative AllianceCo-operative Principles 1. Voluntary and Open membership 2. Democratic Member Control 3. Member Economic Participation 4. Autonomy and Independence 5. Education, Training and Information 6. Co-operation among Co-operatives 7. Concern for Community Theme for 2010: "Co-operative Enterprise Empowers Women " 3 July 2010

5. International Co-operative AllianceDo you know have big the co-operative movement is worldwide? Is it: • 10 million? • 20 million? • 50 million? • 100 million? • 250 million? • 500 million? • Over 800 million? Recognised by the United Nations and the International Labour Organisation as a consultative body

6. Norway Norway Brasil Canada Poland

7. International Co-operative AllianceCo-operative Enterprises worldwide ICA Housing is a sectoral organisation of the International Co-operative Alliance. It was established to promote the development of co-operative housing in all countries, and in particular developing countries, as an economic and social contribution to the problem of providing shelter.

8. Confederation of Co-operative Housing • The UK organisation for housing co-operatives, tenant-controlled housing organisations and regional federations of housing co-ops. • Aims: • to promote co-operative and tenant controlled housing as a viable alternative form of tenure • to represent the interests of housing co-ops and other tenant-controlled housing groups • to provide a forum for networking between housing co-ops nationally

9. Lesson 1: • There are more than one type of housing co-operative: • Market value co-operatives – e.g. Spain, Portugal, Turkey, USA • Limited equity co-operatives – e.g. Sweden, Norway, USA. • Par value rental co-operatives – e.g. UK, Germany, Austria, France • Short-life and management co-operatives – e.g. UK

10. Lesson 2: It is hard for self-organised groups in communities wanting to set up co-operatives to navigate their way through the funding, legal and planning systems – to succeed they need access to appropriate professional advice and support and the resources to employ it

11. Lesson 3: Co-operatives arebusinesses – and must apply sound business management, financial and risk management techniques

12. Lesson 4: Like all democratic organisations, sound principled governance by residents is fundamental for success (Best international example: the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada Vision 20:20 programme)

13. Accreditation framework There are various reasons why your co-op should become accredited: • to use the framework to improve your co-op’s democracy, governance, management and services • to gain the credibility that goes with being formally accredited • if your co-op is registered with the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), to use the framework to comply with their new regulatory Standards

14. Accreditation framework Framework elements 1. Our mission and values • What are we here for? • What do we stand for? • Where are we going?

15. Accreditation framework Framework elements 2. Membership and community • How do we involve our members? • How well does our democracy and community function?

16. Accreditation framework Framework elements 3.“Governing” ourselves • Are we “governing” and managing the co-op as we should do?

17. Accreditation framework Framework elements 4. Managing our money • Are we looking after our money and homes?

18. Accreditation framework Framework elements 5. Getting good services • Are we giving our members and prospective members good services?

19. Accreditation framework your co-op can register at accreditation@cch.coop

20. Lesson 5:Co-operatives have a lot to offer Tiny sector but big impact: 0.6% of the UK’s housing supply BUT provides some potential answers to the current serious housing and community challenges: • Growing problem of financing affordable housing for the new generation of forming households – potential for pension funds and other long term investors • Individual home ownership becoming more difficult • Growing pressure from communities and local authorities for new solutions to housing needs • Government emphasis on localism and Big Society

21. Main sponsors: 21

22. What does Co-operative housing have to offer? • Provides a democratic, resident empowered model encouraging a greater stake and pride in residents’ homes and immediate community • Meets many of the factors behind home ownership aspirations e.g. providing a decent home, quality housing and support services and security of tenure and environment • Provides mutually supportive communities, helping members to skill up, get work and take control of their lives and neighbourhood • Encourages wider community involvement – adding value e.g. trustees and school governors • Retains homes for the intended stakeholders e.g. social rent, key workers, the elderly. • Widens tenure choice e.g. within the intermediate market tenure where households are unable to sustain individual home ownership • Developing role of co-operatives and tenant management organisations within the national housing debate

23. Lesson 6: Co-operatives are not elitist and are the most efficient managers of affordable housing providing the highest levels of resident satisfaction with their homes and services

24. Lesson 7: Education and training of co-op members, potential members, politicians, staff and the public is essential and neglected at peril (See the 5th Co-operative Principle – continuous education and training)

25. Lesson 8 (from international experience): There needs to be a buy-in to housing co-operatives, as a positive housing option, from politicians locally and nationally

26. There is an alternative! A national first 13 million people in the UK are members of a co-operative - a sector which has an annual turnover of £33bn in 4,992 Co-operative businesses. Co-operatives Fortnight is a new national campaign from the UK’s Co-operative sector to promote the co-operative model. It is the first nation-wide initiative designed to raise awareness of the co-operative model and the co-operative principles. The fortnight is being organised by Co-operatives UK, the national trade body that campaigns for co-operation and Co-operatives Fortnight aims to: • Raise awareness of the value of the co-operative economy to business, society and the individual • Promote the benefits of the co-operative model as an alternative way to do business • Celebrate the principles and values of co-operation in work and society • Encourage businesses, individuals and society to be more co-operative.