Rochdale home to UK’s biggest housing
mutual
The largest housing mutual in the country has
been created in Rochdale.
Ownership of 13,700 homes transferred from
Rochdale Borough Council to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) on
Monday 26 March making RBH the UK’s first tenant and employee
co-owned mutual housing provider.
The transfer follows a ballot amongst tenants
last December when three quarters of the 9,000 people who voted
said ‘yes’ to the transfer.
That result was the catalyst for a £169
million improvement programme for homes and estates in the first
five years following the transfer – more than would have been
possible if the houses had stayed with the council.
Andy Zuntz, Executive Director at the council,
said: “Since tenants made their decision at the end of last year
we’ve been working hard to ensure a seamless transfer to RBH and
I’m delighted that we’ve achieved that.
“This is just the start of a bright future for
residents who, in partnership with RBH employees, are now in charge
of the future of their homes.”
Noel Chambers, Chair of the RBH Board, said:
“The completion of the transfer is a major milestone and the new
mutual RBH is determined to both deliver the Offer Document
promises and build a strong tenant and employee membership
base.”
Chair of Rochdale Tenants’ Panel, Lynne
Brosnan, added: “Since the ballot result we have been working hard
with RBH to develop the detailed rules and ways of operation for
the mutual and it’s now up to us to make it work.
“It’s an exciting time for us as what we’re
doing here in Rochdale is groundbreaking. I’d urge as many
residents as possible to become members and to work with RBH
employees to help further improve services and support local
communities.
The creation of the mutual, which will run
along co-operative principles, comes during the International Year
of Co-operatives and follows the announcement that the borough of
Rochdale has been declared the World Capital of Co-operatives.