Housing co-ops are formed so their members can manage their own housing in an agreed, fair and equal way.

Housing co-ops have a proven history of success and capacity building.

See www.catalystcollective.org for more details on how housing co-ops work.

We aim to have built or converted 27 flats in central Lewes for people on the housing list – 18 for single people and 9 for disabled people, and / or small family groups.

We will manage this as a business, using the housing co-operative model. There is a wealth of experience, training and good practice available to co-operatives through the well-established co-operative network.

Our members are committed to green living, equal opportunities, and contributing to the co-op.

We envisage sharing facilities and green technologies in the community, such as: water harvesting and reuse systems, shared heating and possibly energy production, energy efficient natural insulation from local materials.

The co-op will be a continuing housing resource for the town and a benefit to the community.

Our intention is to support our co-op members by giving us control of the type of housing we need with security for our futures.