Head Office:
Northern Office:
The Empty Homes Agency
195-197 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 5NE
Phone: 020 7828 6288
Fax: 020 7828 7006
Email: info@emptyhomes.com
Web: www.emptyhomes.com
The Empty Homes Agency
PO Box 3609
Barnsley
S75 1WW
Phone/Fax: 01226 390 093
Mobile: 07719 798 033
Case Study on the Latin American Housing Co-op
Years ago, Luis Maya came to Britain from Colombia. One thing struck him
about his new country, that there was almost no provision for Spanish
speakers from Latin America, many of whom were refugees fleeing from
persecution in their own country.
Not being prepared to accept this state of affairs, Luis joined the Latin
American Housing Co-op, based in Stockwell, South London. The Co-op
offered to manage ten of Lambeth Council’s empty properties. This move
helped the Co-op in two ways: it allowed them to house members of their
community in need of housing, and with the management fee they could
provide housing and other advice to their community.
From a problem of an invisible minority, Luis and his Co-op members had
found a way of using a wasted housing resource and of funding their services
to their community. A visit to Luis’ offices will find a queue of people waiting
for help and advice.
Then disaster struck – Lambeth Council asked for their properties back.
Suddenly all of the Co-op’s services looked like collapsing. Despite the
impending Private Finance Initiative, the Co-op refused to go quietly and
mobilised their community in defence of the Co-op.
The Co-op pointed to Lambeth’s own housing strategy which included
meeting the needs of the Latin American community. But how could this be
done if the Co-op went under?
Ultimately Luis’ campaigning paid off and Lambeth recognised the Co-op as
one of their Black and Minority Ethnic Housing Association Partners.
Suddenly from being on the outside, this small Co-op became an accepted
player. Lambeth wanted their mainstream housing associations to provide 20
percent BME accommodation, and most of these RSLs were now keen to talk
to Luis… How times change!
The future for the Co-op is still uncertain, but under Luis’ leadership it has
passion and ambition to help their marginalised community.
Ends
The co-op was managing 13 properties in a short life basis – the partnership
was with South London Family Housing Association, currently they are
managing 9 properties.
Head Office:
Northern Office:
The Empty Homes Agency
195-197 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 5NE
Phone: 020 7828 6288
Fax: 020 7828 7006
Email: info@emptyhomes.com
Web: www.emptyhomes.com
The Empty Homes Agency
PO Box 3609
Barnsley
S75 1WW
Phone/Fax: 01226 390 093
Mobile: 07719 798 033