ABOUT RAFT COOPERATIVE:

In April 2025 seven of us living and working in London established Raft Housing Cooperative, following months of conversations among ourselves and with other housing cooperatives, who shared their insights and knowledge.

Our aim is to purchase property or properties in London, which we will run cooperatively to provide long-term housing security for our members - demonstrating that cooperative housing is a viable alternative to profit-driven housing.

We’re now developing a business plan and sourcing the finance we need to acquire the properties, including preparing to launch a loan-stock scheme. We are aiming to have secured our first property by the end of 2026.

If you’re involved in a similar project or would be interested in supporting Raft Housing Cooperative, then do get in touch. We’d love to chat!

What motivates us?

We believe cooperative housing is important and can provide secure and affordable housing that is managed democratically and removed from the private market for the long-term, breaking away from an extractive and profit-driven housing system that pushes people into poverty, insecurity and homelessness. For many of our members, successfully setting up a housing cooperative is the only realistic way for them to live securely in London for the long-term.

We know cooperatives aren’t going to fix the housing emergency alone, but we like to think of cooperatives as a raft - a lifeline that can offer safety and security through the precarious, stormy seas.

We are committed to:

  • Establishing a housing cooperative and securing residential housing;

  • Creating homes that are sustainable, regenerative and equitably run;

  • We aspire to ensure affordable rents in the short and long term;

  • Establishing a housing cooperative that is integrated into the community we live in and stands in solidarity with its most marginalised members;

  • Working in collaboration with other cooperatives and groups to support the growth of cooperative and community led housing overall.

Who we are:

We have members who are support workers, nurses, musicians, and we’re all active in social movements and community projects. We're deeply committed to building a world that works for the people and the planet. As part of this, we are exploring the possibility of acquiring additional space that can be used to the benefit of the local community, to meet non-housing needs.