Minister investigates bigger role for mutuals in housing

Tessa Jowell, Minister for the Cabinet Office, discussed with housing co-operative tenants and staff whether the mutual model – tenant and staff owned enterprises – could play a bigger role in the UK housing market, in a visit to New Cut Housing Co-operative in Lambeth. She asked tenants about the benefits of living in a housing co-operative and discussed with staff the barriers stopping increases in the co-operative housing market. Last month, the Minister gave a speech outlining her views that mutuals should have a major role in public service delivery and reform. She announced plans to create an independent Commission on Ownership, chaired by Will Hutton, to investigate the issue. She also announced she was to meet ministers responsible for housing, social care and Sure Start, to investigate a larger role for mutualism. Read all about the benefits of cooperative and mutual housing in the most recent issue of ROOF magazine.