An investment
that changes a life

When investing in Green Pastures, Investors buy unsecured ‘loan stock’ - which is in effect a receipt acknowledging your loan to Green Pastures. Loan stock earns interest at the rate that you choose, and is repayable to you at the date you choose when you invest.

We offer unsecured loan stock, which means that your investment is not secured by a specific asset, such as property, to guarantee that the investment will be repaid.

Ethical investing, also known as socially responsible investing or sustainable investing, is the practice of investing in companies that are considered to have a positive impact on society and the environment, while avoiding companies that are seen as having a negative impact. This type of investing takes into account not only financial returns, but also the social and environmental impact of the companies in which an investor is considering investing.

Unlike putting your money into a bank or other standard investment, Green Pastures exists to house and support the homeless, and so your investment is put to good work making our work possible. Investors in Green Pastures are vital to our overall funding and enable our work to continue and grow. Without investors purchasing loan stock, we are unable to grow to house more people or maintain our existing portfolio of properties. We currently house around 1500 people, and in the financial year ending 31st March 2024, we are aiming to grow to house 150 more people in need.
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We aim to use the proceeds of unsecured loan stock issued to buy properties (existing or new builds) to house the homeless. GP CBS may also lend funds to special-purpose subsidiary companies for property development purposes. We aim to hold up to 20% of capital raised from loan stock in liquid assets in the form of cash deposits or secured loans to third parties repayable within six months or otherwise available by way of an overdraft facility. The purpose of liquidity is to provide flexibility in cash management, in particular, to enable the company to move quickly as opportunities arise, and to meet loan stock repayments when due. We may also use funds to invest in income-generating commercial properties, arm’s length residential properties or equity investments to generate income. Such income sustains expansion activities and builds our capital base, necessary as the balance sheet grows. Property investments also have an insurance element in that they can be sold without disrupting our core business.

Green Pastures’ financial model is based on purchasing property for Partners, who provide homes and support for the homeless. We ensure an annual rental income of a minimum of 9%* of the total outlay of each property (purchase price, legal fees and upgrades) at 85% occupancy. Before purchasing a property, Green Pastures will check that rental income is available through Housing Benefit (or alternative sustainable funding) before proceeding to purchase a property. *Breakdown of the 9%: Capital & Investor Interest Payments 5%, Operational Costs 2.5%, Maintenance & Insurance 1%, Write-Offs 0.5%. Green Pastures has operated under this model since 2007 and it has been sufficiently robust to enable significant growth in this work housing those in need through the economic downturns & Housing Benefit cuts.

Green Pastures is a Community Benefit Society (CBS), which is an incorporated Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) that conducts business for the benefit of its community. Profits are not distributed among members, or external shareholders, but returned to the community. The purpose of a community benefit society is to serve the broader interests of the community, in contrast to co-operative societies that serve the interests of members. The FCA states that “the conduct of a community benefit society’s business must be entirely for the benefit of the community.” There can be no alternative or secondary purposes, including any that may preferentially benefit the members. The rules governing Green Pastures CBS Ltd can be found here.