Tenants of a communal living scheme who were faced with eviction have reached a deal with their housing association that will see them receive financial help to set up a housing co-operative elsewhere.

The group of nine women and nine men in Islington Park Street, Barnsbury, who are aged between 19 and 79, launched a vibrant campaign against the eviction last year, receiving widespread support across London.

One Housing Group, which engaged in a number of bitter public spats with campaigners on social media, are seeking possession of four joined-up Victorian terraces. It is thought the housing association wants to sell the building, which is believed to be worth around £12million.

Last September, the tenants chanted “we will not be moved” during protests as a court case loomed, with both parties determined to fight their corner. However, the Tribune can reveal that an out-of-court settlement was reached by One Housing and the tenants. Later the Co-operative Development Society (CDS) brokered a deal that will see the remaining members of the group rehoused and registered as a housing co-operative elsewhere in the capital. Funds to buy the new home will come from CDS, the Big Issue Invest charity and One Housing.

Tenant Graham Clipsham said: “Although we are devastated by the loss of our communal home of so many years, we are incredibly grateful to CDS and the Big Issue Invest, who saw the value in our community and have offered us loans to enable us to purchase a new home.

“It’s not easy in the current housing market, but we are hopeful that we will be successful and that our community will survive. We would like to thank the many people who supported us through the eviction process and helped us to reach this point.”

Seven tenants have voluntarily accepted offers from One Housing to be rehoused individually in central London, while the eldest member of the group has moved into a care home.

A spokesman for One Housing said: "We have kept our word to help each resident a home that is right for them. When we spoke to residents individually there were a variety wishes and some wanted to move away from communal living. Nearly half of the original residents are now happily enjoying new individual homes.

"We are in discussions with the residents who wish to continue to live communally, and two other organisations, to find a new communal home. We have agreed in principle to contribute to that but will not be involved in the management. We expect this to be complete by July 2017, when we will fully assess Islington Park Street to help us plan how best to use this important resource to support our core purpose of offering affordable homes."

Under the terms of the deal, which has been agreed in principle, One Housing, CDS and the Big Issue Invest will all contribute to funding a new communal home for between 12 and 14 tenants. CDS, which is a registered social landlord and supports 50 housing co-operatives, will be the freeholder of the property and landlord to the group.

CDS chief executive Linda Wallace said: “Everybody has worked really hard to find a good collaboration. We feel we’ve moved a huge distance and both the residents and One Housing Group have worked really hard and we are delighted with such progress.”

The tenants will pay a “middle-market rent” and operate their home with a “high level of independence”, Ms Wallace added.

However, it does mean that the residents, some of whom have lived in Islington Park Street for decades, will have to move far away – with the funds the group have, they are likely to have to move to a property in zone four.

Islington’s sole Green councillor, Caroline Russell, who supported the group’s campaign, said: “I’m glad to see that One Housing Group have shown some practical wisdom, listening to residents over the last months and working constructively to rehouse some and to enable a future for those who wish to stay living in a group home with all the social, emotional and economic benefits that brings.”

The tenants will have to leave Islington Park Street next summer.

• Keywords
  SOCIAL HOUSING, TENANTS
• Geographical keyword
  ISLINGTON PARK STREET
• Persons keyword
  One Housing Group