The Confederation of Co-operative Housing (CCH)- 30 Years of Hope, Inspiration and Belief
The anniversary publication, The Confederation of Co-operative Housing: 30 Years of Hope, Inspiration and Belief, reflects on CCH’s journey from its inception in the early 1990s in response to shifting government policies. The report highlights CCH’s resilience and evolution, adapting to both support its members and advocate for co-operative housing models as a credible alternative to traditional housing frameworks.
Initially established to counteract policies that stunted the growth of cooperative housing, CCH’s mission shifted to unifying and stabilizing the sector, promoting cooperative values, and supporting its members. Over time, CCH has grown into an influential voice for co-operative and community-led housing, providing practical resources to members, advocating for public policy change, and fostering a thriving tenant movement.
Among its many achievements, CCH has been at the forefront of developing new co-operative and community-led housing models, consistently championing the benefits of co-operative housing for individuals and communities alike. Research has repeatedly shown that cooperative housing outperforms other housing models in terms of affordability, resident satisfaction, and community cohesion. CCH’s persistence raises questions as to why such models remain largely overlooked in mainstream UK housing policy.
The report also recognizes the organization’s adaptability. What began as a voluntary effort by young, idealistic co-op advocates has grown into a sustainable business framework supported by a dedicated governance team. Today, CCH is a respected leader in housing advocacy, providing solutions to some of the UK’s most pressing housing challenges.
Looking forward, CCH is prepared to collaborate with government and other stakeholders to address the UK housing crisis through cooperative and community-led solutions. As highlighted in their recently published Manifesto 2024: Co-operative and Community Led Solutions to the Housing Crisis*, CCH’s approach centers on empowering communities and elevating the voices of the people most affected by housing issues.
As the housing sector faces unprecedented challenges, CCH stands ready to contribute to critical discussions on the future of UK housing policy, advancing the case for cooperative models as a path toward greater affordability, security, and community engagement.