🏡 Context

The article titled "The changing role of cooperatives in the Swedish housing regime - a path dependence analysis" by Bo Bengtsson was published in March 2024 in the journal Housing Studies. This analysis focuses on the historical development of cooperative housing in Sweden, a country known for its unique housing policies and structures. The cooperative housing sector in Sweden comprises approximately 25% of the total housing stock, making it a significant area of study for those interested in sustainable housing solutions.

📈 Key Findings

The article highlights three critical junctures that have shaped the trajectory of cooperative housing in Sweden:

1. The Tenant-Ownership Act of 1930 established tenant-ownership as a distinct housing tenure, laying the groundwork for cooperative housing.

2. The introduction of Sweden's universal housing regime after World War II positioned cooperative housing at the center of housing provision in the country.

3. The deregulation of cooperative tenure in 1968-1969 initiated a marketization process that further expanded the cooperative sector.

The analysis reveals that national politicians, particularly from the Social Democratic Party, along with leaders of cooperative organizations, were the primary actors driving change. In contrast, cooperative members played a limited role, unlike in similar reforms observed in Norway.

🔄 Mechanisms of Change

The article identifies mechanisms of efficiency, legitimacy, and power that were prevalent during the reforms, contributing to the path dependence of the cooperative housing sector. The long-term consequences of these reforms were significant, including:

• The 1930 Act, which ensured long-term stability for cooperative housing.

• The 1940s reforms, which granted cooperatives a central role in the universal housing regime.

• The 1968 deregulation, which led to the marketization of the sector.

📊 Current State

Since the 1930s, the cooperative sector has expanded steadily, now accounting for 25% of Sweden's housing stock. However, its role has evolved from a social movement aimed at providing decent housing to members, to a key component of the national housing regime, and more recently, to a marketized tenure form.

🌍 Broader Implications

Bengtsson argues that the Swedish experience illustrates the fragility of a social housing system based on cooperatives, highlighting tensions between ownership and socio-political goals. The marketization process, once initiated, has proven difficult to reverse. The path dependence framework applied in this analysis could be beneficial for examining cooperative housing development in other countries, providing insights into critical junctures, key actors, and mechanisms of change.