Wirksworth Housing Co-operative

A former hostel has gone on sale in Wirksworth, which would suit a housing co-operative perfectly, combining living space for 10+ members, with large communal areas and space to run community events and set-up community facilities.

Over the next few years, we seek to build our co-op community, gradually renovate and retrofit this beautiful property and play a big role in a local community that we love.

What is a housing co-op?

A Housing Co-operative is an organisation set up by a group of people who want to manage and control the housing in which they live, often brought together by a commitment to live by a common set of values and build an intentional community.

Each person living in the group is a member of the Housing Co-operative and has an equal say in decision-making. No member individually owns or makes profit from the Co-op and all members are expected to take an active role in providing and managing the property.

The level of rent the tenants pay reflects the cost of managing the housing, including paying back any debt borrowed to purchase a property. In our case, the rent will be closely aligned with the level of Local Housing Allowance to make sure it is always affordable, regardless of circumstances.

Why support us?

Once the property has been bought outright the co-op will ensure it remains a community asset for the future. Meaning that many generations of members will benefit from low rents and collective governance of the building in which they live - free from landlords and regardless of their access to wealth. 

In addition we will use our experience to support other co-ops - helping to generate multiple alternative and empowering forms of housing across the area.

Lastly, we believe the Glenorchy Centre could become a thriving hub for the wider community - with shared resources such as event space, laundrette, tool libraries, respite rooms and communal dinners.

You can read more about our journey here