Our History
Whilst our roots go back to the mid -1930's when, after producing over 10,000 houses, in Scotland, all of which would now be called "affordable homes", the great Scottish housing visionary and developer Sir John Mactaggart, turned his attention to housing needs in Central London and the United States. In America his energy focussed as advisor to President Roosevelt for America's "New Deal". When developing in Central London, Sir John built affordable homes both to buy and to rent. The portfolio of rented homes later came under the stewardship of Sir John's son, Jack and on his death; his grandson Ian. Sir Ian had already established a reputation for leading and sponsoring innovation in solving housing need in London. Over the years, through careful management, the value of this asset grew allowing the purchase of additional investments that fund activities undertaken today by Commonweal Housing.
In 2003, Sir John's legacy came under the chairmanship of his great grandson, Sir John A. Mactaggart, who commissioned a strategic review of how to adapt to current housing need in London. The conclusion was that focus and effort needed to be intensified, so a new vehicle, Commonweal Housing was formed to implement "Housing Solutions to Social Injustice".
In 2006, the first Sir John's great grand daughter, Fiona Mactaggart MP, took over the Chair to contribute her wide experience of campaigning for social justice and improving the effectiveness of charities.