Administrative/Biographical History

London Fields Housing Co-operative (LFHC) began in the autumn of 1977 when likeminded individuals met regularly to secure housing in the London Borough of Hackney. Having already created an informal support network of mutual aid among them, they decided to establish a housing co-operative as an alternative to squatting. In 1979, LFHC was formally established as a fully mutual co-operative with management by general meeting, with properties on Shrubland Road and Albion Drive, E8. Solon Housing Co-operative was also appointed as a parent co-operative. In 1981, LFHC’s housing policy was amended to prioritise housing for single women and in 1984, the GLC, who had been monitoring the co-op, recommended that LFHC split into two co-operatives to meet the needs of those women who wanted an openly lesbian ("single women") co-operative. It was agreed that the property on Lansdowne Drive would be women-only housing and so the Lansdowne Women’s Co-operative (LWC) was formed.

Scope and Content

Archive of London Fields Housing Co-operative including: Papers created by and relating to London Fields Housing Co-operative, including meeting minutes, correspondence, financial records, and miscellaneous files. (1977-1997); Papers created by and relating to Lansdowne Women's Co-operative, including meeting minutes, correspondence, financial records, and miscellaneous files. (1980-1999); Papers created by and relating to Solon Housing Co-operative including meeting minutes, correspondence, financial records, and miscellaneous items. (1977-1993); and Miscellaneous papers relating to housing co-operatives including a UK-wide directory of housing co-operatives, establishing housing co-operatives, rent agreements, policy statements from London co-operatives, and the GLC Money Bill (1976-1985). (1976-1999).

Quantity

7 boxes, 2 ledgers