Lister Housing Co-operative is a tenant-controlled social landlord based in Edinburgh’s Old Town. It provides social rented housing for people in housing need and describes itself as Scotland’s oldest registered housing co-operative. Its 185 tenement flats are located in and around Lauriston Place. 2411
The co-operative grew from a campaign in the 1970s to prevent the demolition of historic Georgian tenements bounded by Heriot Place, Keir Street and Lauriston Place. Tenants and other residents persuaded councillors to reject a proposed change of use for the site, then worked with Edinvar Housing Association to secure funding and rehabilitate the housing. Lister was formed in 1976, and renovation work took place from 1978 to 1982, including construction of a new tenement at 16–20 Heriot Place. 135
In the mid-1980s, Lister also campaigned to save and renovate a nearby group of tenements; its wider history page says that work to protect the surrounding built environment and community continues. 13 Today, the organisation is run by a voluntary Management Committee made up of tenants elected at the Annual General Meeting. The committee sets policy and employs staff; the day-to-day work is led by CEO John Rankin. 28
Lister’s work is focused on providing and managing homes in central Edinburgh rather than operating across Scotland or internationally. Its history page also describes a monthly Lister History Group, whose tenants and other participants research local history. 1611