15-07-2025
Glasgow student housing co-operative secured first property
The Glasgow Student Housing Co-operative (GSHC) will take on a flatted property in the south west of Glasgow following a £300,000 loan and share capital investment from Scotmid Co-operative to Student Co-op Homes.
This property will be managed democratically by its student residents and is intended to offer an affordable, community-led housing alternative amid rising private rents.
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Craig Strachan, chief financial officer at Scotmid, said: "We're delighted to support Student Co-op Homes and help bring the Glasgow Student Housing Co-op's vision to life.
"This investment reflects our belief in long-term, values-driven partnerships, and in the ability of young people to lead meaningful change through the co-operative model."
The announcement coincides with the UN International Year of Co-operatives 2025, which highlights the role of co-operatives in addressing global social challenges, including the housing crisis.
Student Co-op Homes is the UK's national body for student housing co-ops and currently supports more than 130 students in Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Brighton.
The new Glasgow development marks the group's expansion into the largest student city in Scotland.
Scott Jennings, chair of Student Co-op Homes, said: "Scotmid's support is a game-changer.
"It not only helps secure our first property in Glasgow but also sets an inspiring example of how established co-ops can empower new ones.
"This is Principle 6 in action, strengthening the co-operative ecosystem from the ground up."
May Armstrong, secretary of the Glasgow Student Housing Co-op, said: "This investment means everything to us.
"For years, we've been working toward a student housing model that's affordable, sustainable, and rooted in community.
"Now we finally have a home we can manage ourselves, and the chance to show what co-operation can achieve."
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The project was made possible through a network of supporters.
The Edinburgh Student Housing Co-op provided funding for initial running costs, while Co-operate Scotland offered ongoing guidance to GSHC.
Law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn delivered pro bono conveyancing and regulatory advice, having been connected to the project through the Thomson Reuters Foundation's TrustLaw network.
