The Ro­le of Coo­pe­ra­ti­ves in the Pro­vi­sion of Af­for­da­ble Hou­sing: an in­tro­duc­to­ry over­view

The article titled "The Role of Cooperatives in the Provision of Affordable Housing: an introductory overview" was published on February 19, 2018, by Daniela Sanjinés, a doctoral candidate at ETH Zurich, and Jennifer Duyne Barenstein, a senior researcher in social anthropology at ETH Zurich. The piece discusses the function of housing cooperatives as a sustainable model for affordable housing, emphasizing their historical evolution and contemporary significance.

Housing cooperatives are defined as mutually owned and democratically controlled housing models, where members pool resources to lower individual housing costs. According to the International Cooperative Alliance, there are seven key principles that govern cooperatives: voluntary membership, democratic control, economic participation, autonomy, education, cooperation among cooperatives, and community concern. The application of these principles varies globally, influenced by historical, cultural, and political contexts, as well as state regulation.

There are different models of housing cooperatives, including tenure, building, and finance cooperatives. These can take the form of rental, limited equity, or market value housing. Housing cooperatives primarily operate in urban settings, playing a significant role in neighborhood development. For instance, tenure cooperatives are more prevalent in Northern Europe, while building cooperatives are more common in Southern Europe.

The cooperative housing movement began in the mid-19th century, inspired by social reformers like Robert Owen and Victor Aimé Huber. Initially, cooperatives aimed to address the poor housing conditions of the working class during Europe's industrialization. By the early 20th century, cooperatives became widespread across Europe, especially after both World Wars, facilitating the reconstruction of damaged housing stock. Today, around 27 million Europeans live in housing cooperatives.

In the UK, cooperative housing plays a minor role, with only 35,000 units out of nearly five million social housing units being cooperatively owned. Conversely, in Germany, cooperatives gained prominence post-World War II due to government support, resulting in 1,850 cooperatives today. In Sweden, cooperatives represent 22% of the total housing stock, having emerged in response to housing shortages in the 1920s.

Switzerland is notable for its robust cooperative housing sector, accounting for over 160,000 apartments and nearly 60% of non-profit rental housing. Swiss cooperatives emphasize community self-help and sustainability, providing affordable housing options with rents 20% lower than the private market. However, the rising interest from wealthier individuals in trendy cooperatives raises concerns over social equity.

Housing cooperatives also exist in North America, South Asia, and Latin America, with varying degrees of success. In India, cooperatives have been a key mechanism for affordable housing since the 20th century. In Uruguay, cooperatives emerged as a resistance movement during economic crises and have played a crucial role in national housing policies.

Housing cooperatives are increasingly recognized as a viable solution to the global housing crisis, providing affordable and sustainable living options. They promote social cohesion and community engagement while fostering environmentally friendly practices. For cooperatives to thrive, they require supportive policies and collaboration with governments to address the growing demand for adequate housing across Europe and beyond.