The Rural Urban Synthesis Society (RUSS) is a volunteer- and member-led Community Land Trust based in south London. It was founded in 2009 by four people in response to the housing crisis and is legally constituted as a Community Benefit Society with charitable status.26 RUSS is registered as an Industrial and Provident Society for the Benefit of the Community and has registered charity status with HM Revenue and Customs.2
The organisation develops community-led housing and seeks to create sustainable neighbourhoods with homes that remain genuinely affordable for future residents. Its stated objectives include reducing dependence on fossil fuels, improving food security, supporting biodiversity and enabling residents to participate in the design, construction and management of their homes.29 RUSS also campaigns on housing affordability and sustainability and shares its experience with other community housing groups through its School of Community Housing.911
Its main project is Church Grove in Ladywell, in the London Borough of Lewisham. RUSS completed 36 mixed-tenure, permanently affordable homes there in 2024, alongside a community hub built in 2019.28 The project involved resident participation and self-build activity, and uses arrangements intended to preserve affordability for future generations.811
RUSS has more than 1,000 members and focuses primarily on London, while aiming to develop a model that can be replicated in Lewisham, elsewhere in London and across the United Kingdom.28 Its registered address is 12 Church Grove, London, SE13 7UU.2 The organisation’s current board chair is identified as Anurag Verma on its contact and community-meeting pages; Ed Mayo is listed as chair of the 2025–26 board of trustees, indicating a potential change or inconsistency in the organisation’s published leadership information. Kareem Dayes is a founding member and former chair of RUSS.3