Women’s grassroots housing activism: Soroptimist housing associations in Manchester and Tunbridge Wells c.1950–1996

A product of participatory research, this article critically examines the work of Soroptimist International (SI) clubs in England in providing homes for poor, elderly women through the establishment of small, local, dedicated housing associations during the second half of the twentieth century. Through two case studies of SI housing schemes in Manchester and Tunbridge Wells, the article examines the reasons for the establishment of Soroptimist housing and accounts for its demise. It also highlights the funding of the projects and considers what clientele they were intended to help. Finally, it considers to what extent these projects can be viewed as ‘grassroots activism’.