Report
Housing
Community and mutual ownership: a historical review
The history of 'community and mutual ownership' and the implications for policy and practice in this area
Policy-makers have identified that community and mutual ownership can make a significant contribution to the economy, welfare and society more generally. A historical analysis of social change can inform contemporary understanding, policy and practice.
This study:
- adopts a broad definition of 'community and mutual' as a way of exploring the history of ownership;
- identifies five models: customary and common, community, co-operative and mutual, charitable, and municipal and state forms of ownership;
- argues that systematic and values-based approaches are needed to develop community and mutual ownership to respond to current social problems;
- notes that time is needed to develop democracy, membership and belonging, all factors that have been historically important to the success of community and mutual ownership.
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This report is part of the housing topic.
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