SOMEWHERE CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING ASSOCIATION
How the Co-op works
All tenants are members of Somewhere Housing Cooperative Association, and are expected to participate in decision making at Ordinary General Meetings, (OGMs) every three weeks. Decisions are made through majority voting. These meetings are well attended and lively. SCHA pays an experienced, part-time administrator who deals with much of the day-to-day business of the co-op and reports to the OGM and the relevant officers. Officers are elected annually at the Coop’s AGM.
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SCHA seeks members who are in housing need but also committed to participating in the operation of the cooperative.
Working groups
The coop has the following working groups, which all report to the OGM;
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Maintenance to oversee repairs and maintenance for all the properties. This includes: the cyclical maintenance the building envelope of all properties on a five year rotation, regular safety testing of services and day to day repairs and maintenance.
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Development Responsible for development opportunities and negotiating with outside bodies. This group were very active during the new build on Philip Street.
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Finance working group works with the administrator to formulate and oversee budgets and to carry out long-term financial planning.
Energy Efficiency tasked with finding and applying for funding support from local /central government, and energy suppliers
Other working groups are formed as required to implement or inform other matters of concern to the Ordinary General Meeting.
SCHA is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act and is also a registered Housing Association regulated by the Social Housing Regulator.
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SCHA has successfully managed its housing for over 30 years. As a result it is in a sound financial position and currently has reasonable reserves. SCHA also has considerable assets as it owns seven dwellings outright.
