our story
Housing intersects and underpins all areas of our lives. As young people there were three key motivations for us to form a community-led housing group: the housing crisis, the climate crisis and a lack of community.
As a result of soaring rent prices, as well as the instability and lack of autonomy that comes with renting, we began to look for alternatives in 2020. As young people, the prospect of buying our own property in Bristol feels impossible. Additionally, in the face of the climate emergency, we all feel compelled to create more regenerative and ecological ways of housing ourselves, whilst creating a resilient and supportive community that can flourish.
what is
a co-op?
A co-op is a business or organisation that’s owned and controlled by its members, to meet their shared needs. The members can be its customers, employees, residents or suppliers, who have a say in how the co-op is run.
A housing co-op is an alternative model of housing driven by the needs and aspirations of the tenants, not by the need to generate profit. In Sorrel’s case, we are on a journey to secure land and housing, which will be controlled in co-ownership by its tenants who are the co-op’s members. No-one will be able to individually make profit, and rent will always remain affordable and in common ownership. It’s all about long-term security, control, and autonomy in our own home. And when any members move out, new members move in, and the cycle of community-focused housing continues.
vision
Our vision is to bring sustainable, secure housing into common ownership in perpetuity; housing that is genuinely affordable and accessible, comfortable and communal, long-term secure and democratically run by those who inhabit it: helping to foster a community spirit of joy, resilience and solidarity. Furthermore, to provide community space and skill-sharing for the wider local community for people to thrive and flourish.
… and mission
Our mission is to combat the deepening housing, climate, and community crises by acquiring property in Bristol for our members to live in and a community space to be enjoyed by our members and the wider community. In 2024 we will be launching a loan stock campaign and crowdfunder to finance a property – watch this space. If you’d like to help us bring housing into community ownership in perpetuity in Bristol, financially or otherwise, please get in touch.
objectives
To provide and manage housing under common ownership in perpetuity for its members.
To provide long-term security, good quality, and genuinely affordable housing
To provide an inclusive, supportive and safe communal living environment
To live in a way that is true to our commitment to social and environmental justice
To uphold a culture of creativity and artistic expression
To connect with and grow the co-op movement
To foster a supportive and resilient community both within the housing co-op and within the wider community
To combat the deepening housing, climate, and community crises through regenerative practices
To meet the changing needs of members