Wanted: Daredevils for housing cooperatives

The article "Wanted: Daredevils for housing cooperatives" by Lieve Jacobs and Peggy Totté discusses the emerging potential of housing cooperatives in providing affordable and sustainable living options in Flanders, Belgium. The authors emphasize that these cooperatives can offer housing that is approximately 20% cheaper than the market rate, based on a large-scale study confirming that residential mobility within cooperatives can meet the diverse needs of families. As the crisis of neoliberalism fades, housing cooperatives are seen as a viable solution for affordable rents, especially following the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Belgian Companies and Associations Code, a housing cooperative is defined as an autonomous association of individuals who voluntarily unite to fulfill their economic, social, and cultural needs. This model empowers residents to take charge of their housing needs collectively, rather than waiting for market solutions. In essence, every member contributes to the cooperative, gaining co-ownership and a right of residence, while also participating in the management and decision-making processes.

In Flanders, the traditional model is predominantly based on individual homeownership, with about 80% of residents owning their homes. However, this creates challenges in managing shared spaces in apartment buildings and co-housing projects. In a housing cooperative, residents do not own their homes outright but have a lease agreement and are involved in the cooperative's management, which is overseen by an elected Board of Directors. This structure aims to mitigate the conflicts that often arise among owners in traditional settings.

Housing cooperatives foster three key relationships among residents: transactional (users benefit from the cooperative's services), investment (residents are joint owners and invest capital), and control (democratic governance where each member has an equal vote). This interconnectedness ensures that cooperators have a significant voice in the management of their living environments.

The article distinguishes between various types of cooperatives, including citizen cooperatives, worker cooperatives, and multi-stakeholder cooperatives. Citizen cooperatives, such as energy cooperatives in Flanders, focus on collective investment in sustainable resources, while worker cooperatives enable employees to jointly own businesses. Multi-stakeholder cooperatives, like Collectief Goed, involve multiple stakeholders working towards common housing goals.

Housing cooperatives aim to provide affordable housing by linking rent prices directly to the cooperative's expenses rather than profit. This model allows cooperatives to lower rents while ensuring good management. Moreover, cooperatives in places like Zurich have demonstrated flexibility in housing arrangements, enabling families to adjust their living situations based on changing needs.

The article also addresses the potential for housing cooperatives to repurpose large historic properties, facilitating community-oriented projects that maintain the integrity of these estates. Examples include the Boekenberg castle and other heritage sites being restored with community input and support.

Finally, the article highlights the importance of small-scale care housing for seniors, advocating for cooperative models that allow older individuals to live in shared, supportive environments. This approach is seen as a more desirable alternative to traditional large-scale elder care facilities.

The authors conclude by encouraging municipal authorities, citizens, and industry professionals to embrace the cooperative model to enhance the housing market in Flanders. They emphasize the need for "daredevils" willing to invest in and support the establishment of housing cooperatives, which can offer sustainable and affordable living solutions for future generations.