Context
The resource is a master’s thesis titled The Demand for Housing Cooperatives in the Netherlands, authored by Ewoud P.G. Kooijman and published by Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). It examines whether there is market-driven demand for housing cooperatives in the Netherlands and which groups might prefer this tenure form, based on people’s underlying preferences for housing tenure.
Why housing cooperatives are discussed
The thesis is set against the backdrop of the Dutch housing crisis. It states that the Netherlands needs to add 900,000 dwellings by 2030, with around 300,000 needing to be affordable. The thesis positions housing cooperatives as one potential system-level change to support long-term affordability, because cooperatives can exclude the sale of dwellings and therefore limit speculation. The document also highlights how marginal cooperatives currently are in the Dutch housing stock: around 1,000–2,000 cooperative dwellings out of roughly 8 million total homes (about 0.025%).
European comparison and scale
To underline that cooperatives can be a mainstream tenure form, the thesis compares the Netherlands with other European countries. Examples cited include Sweden (about 1.2 million cooperative dwellings, ~24% of housing stock), Austria (~16%), Denmark (~7.5%), Germany (~5%), and Switzerland (~4%). In contrast, the Netherlands remains a niche market, despite reported growth in initiatives and increasing political and municipal interest.
Research gap and aim
The study argues that Dutch research has mostly focused on barriers to establishing cooperatives, while empirical evidence on actual consumer demand and preference-driven suitability is limited. The central research question is: what is the demand for housing cooperatives in the Netherlands, based on underlying preferences for housing tenure? Linked to this is the question of which target groups might find cooperatives attractive.
Approach and methodology
The thesis combines a literature review with qualitative and quantitative methods. It first develops an understanding of how housing cooperatives differ from other tenure forms using a “bundle of rights” perspective (rights and obligations around control, disposal, maintenance responsibilities, affordability mechanisms, and governance). To validate and refine tenure attributes, the author conducted 12 semi-structured interviews covering households in owner-occupied housing, apartment-right settings, private rent, social rent, and cooperatives. The core empirical method is a stated choice experiment (SCE) implemented through an online survey. Respondents were repeatedly asked to choose between hypothetical dwelling alternatives described by tenure-related attributes. The study reports 1,404 participants, 1,073 completed responses, and—after cleaning—a final usable sample of 945 respondents for analysis. The thesis notes that the sample was not representative of the Dutch population, and results should therefore be interpreted cautiously.
Key findings on preferences and demand
Across models, the thesis finds that monthly housing costs are the most influential factor shaping tenure choice. Using a latent class model, two respondent classes are identified. One class shows stronger preference for opting out of the presented alternatives and appears more aligned with a preference for owner-occupation. The other class shows more willingness to choose between alternatives and is interpreted as more likely to prefer a cooperative form, particularly valuing the absence of annual cost increases. Both classes value the possibility of asset accumulation through housing, but differ in preferences around responsibility: one group prefers more individual control, while the other prefers less personal responsibility for management and maintenance. A strong negative preference for private rental housing is reported in both groups.
Target group signals
The class interpreted as more cooperative-leaning is characterised by younger respondents (often 18–35), many in full-time employment or studying, and frequently renting or living with parents. The thesis reports average gross annual incomes for this group commonly in the €40,000–€100,000 range, followed by a substantial group in the €20,000–€40,000 range. This group is also described as more concerned about housing costs.
Quantitative estimate and policy implications
Based on the preferences identified and the socio-demographic profile of the cooperative-leaning class, the thesis estimates potential demand for cooperatives between about 1.2 and 1.32 million dwellings, while stressing uncertainty due to sample representativeness. Policy recommendations include creating clearer guidelines and standardisation for cooperatives, reserving land in spatial plans for cooperative projects, and improving cooperative access to financing (with reference to alternative banking approaches such as Germany’s GLS Bank). The thesis also suggests that cooperative initiators may need to focus on robust ownership structures and not rely solely on idealistic community goals.
Conclusion
Overall, the thesis concludes that there is strong demand for affordable housing in the Netherlands and that a sizeable group may be open to cooperative tenure if it delivers lower costs and stability over time. It argues that increasing tenure diversity—including cooperatives—could support long-term affordability, but that scaling up requires supportive public policy and financial frameworks, as well as careful governance and design choices to preserve affordability over time.