who are we?

We are students and graduates from Sheffield University. We have set up this housing co-operative to create a positive place for students to live. Difficult landlords and expensive rents are the first steps to overcome. Beyond that we aim to foster positive links within the community, support house-caring skills and develop environmentally friendly housing.

what is a student housing co-op?

A housing Co-op offers an alternative way of living in a property. It is somewhere between owning your own house and renting. The co-op owns the property, and for the time that they live there, residents become members of the co-op. The rent paid by residents goes to the co-op and to paying off the mortgage, rather than going to private landlords. Head here to watch a short film and find out more.

the vision for sheffield student housing co-op

Sheffield is a brilliant place to be a student and has a strong student community. We want to offer the opportunity to live in co-operative housing to those students. SSHC will offer not only housing, but also a friendly and supportive community of residents. Residents have the opportunity to take control of their surroundings; help improve the house and reach out to the wider community. Head over here to find out more.

Timeline of the co-operative movement

Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS) flour mill in Silvertown, London, 1915

A quick look at the roots of the co-operative movement. From the beginnings of the Rochdale Pioneers of 1844 to the growing of 'consumer' co-operative shops. These co-operatives banded together to great success and spreading. The co-operatives joined a federation know as the Co-operative Wholesale society, who also produced and distributed their own goods. Over time the co-operative movement diversified in to other areas such as housing, finance and politics. We'll take a look at the long and successful tradition of co-operative housing in the USA and the more recent housing co-operative movement in the UK.

Breakup with your landladys

Invite them round. Tell them 
It's just been so long...
Too long.

If they say no, tell them It's urgent.
Tell them  Come round any time

but you'd recommend sooner 
rather than later.

Don't say why.

Make sure you keep your nerve,
and when they arrive: be pleased!

Hold their hands to your face.
Whisper She has returned.

Place them before their old damp sofas.
Give them time to reminisce.

Invite them to the bathroom.
Admire the mould, together.

Compare it to the pattern on their coats.
(They will not have taken them off.)

Then throw another chair onto the fire
you made when the heating broke

and break the news gently.
Be stoical through their tears.

If they continue, tell them
they have Great Aura

but that it's just not working anymore.
Again, smile into their confusion.

They'll understand one day.

And do this, all the while, plotting.
That wall there: going.

That ceiling: to be painted.
This neighbourhood: ours.

And as the landladys arrive home,
feeling understandably sad,

make sure there are flowers waiting,
along with cards, reading

On your recent property befeftment.
Goodbye forever.

From, your ex-tenants.


Andy Owen Cook