The independent Commission on Co-operative and Mutual Housing was formed in mid-2008 to explore the historic role of housing co-operatives and chart potential mutual futures for this diverse sector. The Confederation of Co-operative Housing, Co-operatives UK, the Co-operative Development Society, social housing providers Accord, Matrix, Hanover and Trident, the Housing Associations Charitable Trust (hact), the National Housing Federation and the Chartered Institute of Housing are key supporters and originators, but more supporters are coming on board. The Human City Institute and the University of Birmingham's Centre for Urban and Regional Studies are carrying out independent research to support the Commission's work. The Commission will sit for around 15 months, publishing a series of interim reports, findings, and articles, organising a range of events to disseminate findings widely and promote the sector extensively with policy-makers, other sectors, residents and communities. 

The Commission Welcomed

‘We need to explore new ways to create the safe, sustainable and friendly neighbourhoods where people want to live and can fulfil their true potential. There is clear evidence that empowering people to shape and manage their own communities helps to forge a stronger, more equitable society and encourages active citizenship. We now need to explore how we can mainstream the excellent work of existing housing co-operatives and mutual housing solutions to shape the housing of tomorrow. The Commission has a vital role to play in that and I look forward to reviewing its findings and recommendations.' (Caroline Flint MP, Minister for Housing)

'Housing co-operatives are a valuable means of creating new affordable housing; I welcome the launch of the Commission on Co-operative and Mutual Housing and look forward to reading its findings and recommendations.' (Grant Shapps MP, Conservative Shadow Housing Spokesperson)

‘I'm very pleased to see that the hard work carried out by housing co-operatives is being noticed in setting up the Commission. There remains a severe lack of social housing, and housing co-operatives could play a huge part in solving this, empowering individuals who face difficulty on the road ahead.' (Lembit Opik MP, Lib Dem Shadow Spokesperson until October 2008)

'The Commission builds on the 2001 ‘Monks Commission', which created a new framework for the wider Co-operative Movement, now accounting for £27 billion of the country's annual wealth creation. We hope that the findings and the recommendations from the Commission will point the way ahead for housing co-operatives so that this important and effective way of involving residents and communities can be expanded across the country in similar ways to our European neighbours, receiving support from all political parties and sectors of the economy.' (Dame Pauline Green, Chief Executive Co-operatives UK)

‘Housing co-operatives have the potential to play a key role in creating successful and sustainable places which are informed and conditioned by the views of those who live there. This kind of community ownership has been very successful in many European and other countries. The Commission has a critical role to play in identifying any barriers to their further development here and helping to remove those barriers.' (David Orr, Chief Executive National Housing Federation)

‘We know from the success of cooperative housing schemes for older people in countries such as Denmark that a potentially successful model of mutual housing exists.   This Commission will shed light on the opportunities for this form of housing to be adopted in England in order to meet the rising aspirations for increased engagement and control by retired citizens in the 21^st Century.' (Lord Best, Chair of Hanover and former Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Trust)

‘All around the world people are using co-operative principles to create affordable homes in thriving communities and I'm delighted to be part of this new Commission that will both explore the reasons behind this international success story and find ways of expanding its reach in England.' (Sarah Webb, Chief Executive Chartered Institute of Housing)

‘The UK has a small but flourishing co-operative housing sector. The Commission's aim is to move housing co-operatives closer to the centre of national policy debates by gathering evidence across the country to see how best to expand their future role.' (Nic Bliss, Chair Confederation of Co-operative Housing).