We hope to include some of the newest and most useful information regarding housing co-operatives around the world and plan to send an E-Bulletin every two months. Please feel free to forward this E-Bulletin to your colleagues and fellow co-operators. Between E-Bulletins please feel free to check out website at http://www.icahousing.org.
Click to read this E-Bulletin in French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Turkey, and Polish. If you would like it translated into other languages please email webmaster@icahousing.coop.
ICA Housing is a sectoral organisation of the International Co-operative Alliance. It was established to promote the development of co-operative housing in all countries, and in particular developing countries, as an economic and social contribution to the problem of providing shelter.
ICA Housing is one of the nine sectors of the International Co-operative Alliance. We are very proud of the fact that we are the apex body of the worldwide co‑operative housing movement. Our mission is to unite, represent and serve the international movement for co‑operative and mutual self-help housing.
Upcoming Events:
April 21-22 The first UNECE Workshop on energy efficiency in housing, to take place in Sofia, Bulgaria will discuss specific challenges and opportunities for the UNECE region. The aim of the workshop will be to provide UNECE member States with policy guidance and suggestions on how to increase energy efficiency in the housing sector. For more information on the workshop, and to view the programme and register, please visit the workshop website (http://www.ee-housing.com).
May 31 Deadline for entries for dotCoop Global Awards for Cooperative Excellence. More information: www.globalawards.coop.
In this E-Bulletin:
Welcome to New ICA Housing Member
Paper on New Co-operative Housing Model in UK
Three New Co-operative Housing Country Profiles – UK, Italy, Switzerland
‘Co-operatives Without Borders’ – ICA Housing Member Development Programs
New ICA Housing Membership Rules
Driving global recovery through co-operatives: International Day of Co-operatives 2009
Welcome to New ICA Housing Member
ICA Housing welcomed its newest member this month: the Karachi Cooperative Housing Societies Union. Based in Pakistan and formed in 1949 the Karachi Cooperative Housing Societies Union has over 24 co-operatives and 100,000 members. To read more about our new member click here.
Paper on New Co-operative Housing Model in UK
In the UK, in the wake of the financial crisis, the issue of affordable housing remains of concern. The Cooperative Party have released a paper, entitled ‘New Foundations Paper - Unlocking the potential for affordable homes’, outlining the unique contribution that a new co-operative form of mutual home ownership can offer to meet these challenges. Author David Rodgers, an ICA Housing Board Member, the paper aims to highlight how the UK government, as well as other national governments, may use a new model of mutual home ownership that can create permanently affordable intermediate market homes, even against the background of the credit crunch. Click here to read the paper.
Three New Co-operative Housing Country Profiles – UK, Italy, Switzerland
Since the beginning of the New Year ICA Housing has posted three new Housing Co-operative Country Profiles on the UK (click here to read it), Italy (click here to read it) and Switzerland (click here to read it). These country profiles provide invaluable information on the many different housing co-operative organizations, as well as the financial and legal frameworks that exist for them in their respective countries.
‘Co-operatives Without Borders’ – ICA Housing Member Development Programs
ICA Housing has also developed a webpage dedicated to ICA Housing Members’ development programs and containing information on the nature of their work and contact information. Click here to read more. If you would like to add information to this web page, or any other please email: webicahousing@icahousing.coop.
New ICA Housing Membership Rules
From January 1st 2009, ICA Housing along with the International Co-operative Alliance has adopted new membership rules. The ICA Global Rule changes now permit a greater range of organizations to join ICA and its sectoral and regional organizations. They have also made it affordable to members from less affluent countries. To read more about the changes, click here.
Driving global recovery through co-operatives: International Day of Co-operatives 2009
This year's International Day theme focuses on recovery rather than crisis. It aims to highlight the role that co-operatives have in not only promoting economic growth, but also promoting ethical values - values which have been severely challenged during the financial and food crisis. It underlines that co-operatives can effectively contribute to global economic recovery and that they will do so in respect of the co-operative values and principles which guide their operations. The Day will be celebrated around the world on 4 July 2009.
Please feel free to make comments, suggestions and submissions to be included to mbaker@icahousing.coop.
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