Management, Cooperation, and Sustainability: Unpacking the Data Practices of Housing Cooperatives

The article "Management, Cooperation, and Sustainability: Unpacking the Data Practices of Housing Cooperatives" is authored by Priyanka Verma, Mohammad Rashidujjaman Rifat, and Samar Sabie from the University of Toronto. It explores data practices within a non-profit housing cooperative in Toronto, anonymized as NXI. The research aims to examine how financial, social, and maintenance data influence the cooperative's operations, sustainability, and cooperation among members. This study is significant, given the growing interest in cooperative housing as a viable alternative to traditional housing models, particularly in the face of rising housing costs across Europe.

The authors conducted a 16-month ethnographic study, which included 24 interviews with members and staff of NXI. The findings reveal that while the cooperative's data practices are functional in the short term, they face various tensions and inefficiencies that hinder long-term sustainability. The cooperative operates without external funding, relying solely on membership contributions, which underscores the importance of effective data management in maintaining affordable housing.

The study identifies three main dimensions of data practices: maintenance, cooperation, and sustainability. Data is utilized in daily operations for tracking expenses, managing communal tasks, and ensuring effective communication. However, the authors found issues such as data fragmentation, inefficiencies in managing both digital and physical records, and a lack of transparency regarding financial data. These challenges contribute to operational strain, particularly for an understaffed organization like NXI.

Cooperation is a core principle of NXI, characterized by members pooling their efforts and resources. Membership fees serve as a vital communication tool, facilitating democratic participation in budget planning and maintaining financial credibility with banks. The cooperative employs participatory budgeting to empower members in decision-making processes, emphasizing collective responsibility and mutual aid. However, tensions arise when financial data lacks granularity, making it difficult to communicate effectively with members.

The concept of sustainability is multi-faceted within NXI, encompassing social, financial, and cultural aspects. The cooperative aims to preserve communal traditions and norms while ensuring long-term viability. However, challenges such as data inaccessibility, loss of social data, and the effectiveness of historical records diminish their ability to plan for future needs. For instance, the cooperative faces significant financial burdens due to deferred maintenance and repair needs, which could undermine its long-term sustainability.

The authors propose several design implications to enhance data practices in cooperatives. They advocate for tools that align with the cooperative's values, emphasizing transparency and accessibility of financial data. Suggestions include creating digital systems that allow members to access their financial records and automate data management processes to minimize staff workload. Such improvements could strengthen democratic participation and improve organizational sustainability.

This research provides valuable insights into the data practices of housing cooperatives, highlighting both their potential and challenges. As the demand for sustainable, community-driven housing solutions grows, understanding how cooperatives like NXI operate can inform better practices and tools that support their long-term goals. The findings have implications for data designers, grassroots organizations, and financial technology practitioners interested in fostering sustainable and cooperative living environments.