MAJ is a housing co-operative based in Tottenham. We currently own two houses, which provide
homes to five of our members, as well as a resource space for Haringey
Solidarity Group and other local groups.
We are currently looking for a new member (or members) to
join. We particularly want to encourage
people with dependent children and people of colour (from black and minority
ethnic backgrounds) to apply.
Below, there is more information about our co-op, what being
a member involves and how to apply. If
you have any questions about applying or joining, please email us at
maj@haringey.org.uk.
Background
MAJ started in 1998, when a few people from Haringey
Solidarity Group decided to try and buy somewhere for their members to live and
also to have a space for an activist resource centre. The idea was that the resource centre and
having members securely and affordably housed in the borough would help
HSG. It took eight years to buy our first
house and another 10 years to buy our second.
Our current housing situation
We presently have one member who is not securely housed and
we have been fundraising to buy somewhere for them to live. With the funds we have raised so far, there
is a possibility that we will be able to buy an additional one or two-bedroom
flat, to house someone else. This is why
we are looking for a new member to join MAJ.
What does membership involve?
All MAJ members need to agree to our primary and secondary
rules and play a part in running the co-op.
This means attending co-op meetings (usually every 4-6 weeks) and taking
on some tasks (e.g. admin or DIY).
We are members of:
· Radical
Routes (a national network for co-ops involved in social change); and
· St Ann’s
Redevelopment Trust, which is developing a community-led plan to ensure that
land sold off by the local mental health trust continues to benefit the
community, mainly through affordable and tenant-controlled housing.
We require MAJ members to take an active part in these
projects, but the precise nature of that involvement varies from person to
person. Enthusiasm and willingness to
learn are more important than expertise.
The new member would be involved in the decision-making
process for the new home, and so would be expected to take an active part in house-hunting
and any related fundraising. We should
add that because of the changing nature and the difficulties in the housing
market we cannot say how long it will take to find somewhere, or whether we
will be able to find somewhere at all.
Any prospective co-op member would also be expected to
support the work of Haringey Solidarity Group or a community project or local
group organising along similar lines (organising in the local area, and
non-hierarchically). The level of
support could be as little or much as you have time for, and/or be active in
some form of political activity.
We are keen for the co-op to have a diverse membership,
reflecting the local community and bringing people of different ages
together. Therefore, we would
particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic groups, and
people with dependent children, because those people are particularly
under-represented in our co-op at the moment.
How to apply
Please follow the link and read our Secondary Rules. Then send an email to maj@haringey.org.uk
with answers to the following questions.
Alternatively, replies can be posted to us at: 22 Chester Road, London
N17 6BY.
2. Do you have
an existing connection to Haringey? What
is it?
3. Are you in
housing need? Are you able to access
affordable housing?
4. What is your
involvement in activism or social change work?
By this we mean community activity and/or taking action to live out your
values.
Your responses can be as short as you want, but should be no
longer than one page of A4.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
