Housing: Co-operatives – Parliamentary Written Answer

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State what recent steps he has taken to promote more co-operative housing; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Prisk: The new neighbourhood planning regime provides an opportunity for housing co-operatives to shape developments in their area. In conjunction with the recently announced support funding for custom-build projects, these proposals should prove an attractive proposition to the co-operative housing sector.  In a bid to ease the regulatory burdens on co-operatives, the Localism Act 2011 exempted houses in multiple occupation that are controlled or managed by a co-operative society from the houses in multiple occupation licensing regime. The Government and the HCA is currently engaging with the Mutual Housing Group, which includes the Confederation of Co-operative Housing and other community led housing groups, on their proposals for an investment fund to support development in the sector.