Our 12 Criteria
The route to creating role model projects that solve social injustices is not easy. For example, we need to be certain that we are breaking new ground and not simply doing what has been done before sufficiently well but simply needs promoting. Similarly, we need to stretch ourselves to make sure that we really do make big steps forward through our projects. To help us apply this discipline before considering a potential project, we initially test it against the following 12-Criteria:
1. The project must serve a housing need in London or in those locations designated for easing housing stress in London such as Thames Gateway or Milton Keynes.
2. The project must either solve a housing need that is not currently being solved or solve a need in a significant and measurably better way than is being achieved by current solutions.
3. The project must be supported by demonstrating a clear understanding of the details of the needs being experienced by people with that need.
4. The project will be operated in a spirit of openness to offer learning and help for those who would want to replicate the prototype on a larger scale.
5. The project must be capable of influencing public policy.
6. The prototype project, when proven, should be suitable for being replicated on a larger scale by other organisations.
7. Both the provision of housing and the long-term operation of the project must aim for being a prototype of role model best practice.
8. The medium to long term performance of the project must be assessed according to criteria set by third party experts who will measure and report on performance at pre-determined frequencies.
9. Commonweal Housing will only provide the housing or the finance for the housing element of the project.
10. The project must go through rigorous levels of scrutiny to test viability.
11. A means of operating finance must be defined and deliverable for a project.
12. The project must, within a 7 - 12 year period, return Commonweal's housing investment according to agreed terms so that it can be recycled in other housing projects.