Rainbow Housing Co-operative

Rainbow, known by many as ‘The Street’, has twenty-four terraced houses in one street situated in the north of Milton Keynes. The Co operative was founded in 1977. The aim of the group is to provide housing in a community setting, there is a communal garden with a natural pond, fruit trees and play areas for the children. The membership, generally 35 to 40 including children is very mixed in age, sex and personal circumstances. One house is used as a Community House and has meeting space, office, laundry facilities, a workshop equipped with tools, freezer, domestic equipment and greenhouse. Provision has been made for disabled people with wheelchair access by means of a portable ramp. Some members are vegetarian or vegan, although this is not a pre-requisite for membership. Membership is by application and prospective members are expected to participate in the activities of the co-op, including work days and meetings, before being eligible for membership and therefore housing. It often takes some time before prospective members are successful, as the turnover of houses is infrequent and there are many people waiting. The co-op is run by general meeting (all members participate in decision making) and most of the maintenance of the property and management of the co-op is done by members.