Student Co-op Homes is a not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder co-operative. We are owned, led and managed by our members. They are a mixture of student housing co-ops and other co-ops that are supporting our development.
Private landlords own property simply to make money from students. Research from The NUS reveals that students increasingly struggle to pay rent, experience poor housing conditions and suffer negative mental health as a consequence. A new student housing co-op sector is now emerging in the UK in response to this housing crisis. Currently, there are three student housing co-ops successfully providing homes to more than 100 students at below market rent – it’s a model that works.
Several other student housing co-ops have also recently formed – in Leeds, Glasgow and Nottingham, with more joining us soon – and they are all in need of houses. Faced with an expensive, highly competitive market, it’s a challenge for them to acquire property. Student Co-op Homes was launched to help provide new and existing student housing co-ops with the resources they need to thrive. Supported by Co-operatives UK, our purpose is to:
• Provide accommodation to student housing co-ops by leasing properties to them at affordable rates
• Support the creation of new student housing co-ops with training, advice and finance
• Provide ongoing support to established student housing co-ops
• Promote student co-operative housing with campaigns and outreach activities
It’s our ambition to increase the national capacity of student housing co‑ops from 150 to 10,000 beds within the next five years.
INFOGRAPHIC:
The National Student Accommodation Survey 2019 revealed that:
90% of students experience issues with their housing – mostly due to it not being maintained to a decent standard of living
50% of students struggle to pay their rent
65% of students need to borrow to pay for accommodation
Only 15% of students get their deposits back
63% of students find housing costs have a negative effect on their mental health
82% of students want a rent cap
Members and supporters
A number of start-up partners have contributed skills, expertise and revenue investment to enable Student Co-op Homes to get off the ground. They are:
• Co-operatives UK
• The Phone Co-op Foundation for Co-operative Innovation
• The Midcounties Co-operative
• East of England Co-operative
• The Reach Fund
• Students for Co-operation
Our current Student Housing Co-op members are:
• Birmingham Student Housing Co-operative
• Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative
• Sheffield Student Housing Co-operative
• Glasgow Student Housing Co-operative
• Leeds Student Housing Co-operative
• Nottingham Student Housing Co-operative