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Mace Housing Co-operative - London
Origins
Mace was originally set up as a self-help housing association to house ‘creative’ individuals and homeless people, by students from University College London. Some of the students were involved in another short life project called ACME which provided housing and studio space for artists and still exists today (MACE is an anagram of ACME). In 1986 Mace took the decision become a housing co-operative.
Properties
From the outset Mace decided to concentrate on short-life housing, as this was the quickest way to get its members housed. Mace received its entire initial housing from the GLC in Hackney. These were allocated to members who renovated the houses at their own expense in exchange for a peppercorn rent. Subsequently, higher rents were charged in exchange for houses being renovated by the Mace.
Today Mace employs a small team of 7 paid staff, has a turnover of £1.2m and has about 150 properties with 300 bed spaces from 8 local authorities, housing associations and private landlords. It accepts properties on licence with for a minimum of six months and properties on leases for a minimum of three years
Renovation
The cost of all renovation work is funded from rent receipts. Mace spends between £2500 - £15,000 on renovation per house/flat depending on the condition and the life of the property. Building contractors are now used to do the works
Occupants
Mainly single people (90%) and some families.
Funding
Mace in the past did receive a grant from the government’s Supporting People Programme for a couple of years to provide support to some of our tenants, but otherwise the co-op is self-funded using the rents received from letting out properties.
Contact
info@macehousing.org.uk
Tel: 020 7254 9560
