Angela Rayner advocates for a transformative shift in community housing to address the flaws in the UK housing system. The former Labour deputy leader has endorsed a report by the Co-operative Party that calls for an expansion of community-led and co-operative housing models.
The report highlights the need for a legal framework that acknowledges an alternative housing arrangement where individuals can occupy a property as members of a co-operative that both owns and manages it.
Rayner has emphasized the importance of recognizing diverse forms of housing tenure beyond traditional ownership and tenancy. She asserts that the current system should be reformed to support community initiatives and empower individuals.
As a proponent of community-led housing, Rayner allocated £20 million in funding for such projects during her tenure as Housing Secretary. Her recent advocacy for housing reform coincides with her broader call for Labour to embrace change and better represent the interests of working people.
Joe Fortune, the General Secretary of the Co-operative Party, underscores the critical role communities play in addressing the housing crisis driven by commercial interests. He notes that existing community-led housing initiatives face obstacles due to outdated regulations and lack of government support.
In response, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) affirms the government’s commitment to resolving the housing crisis through initiatives aimed at increasing social and affordable housing, enhancing housing standards, and backing community-based housing projects.
