Baugenossenschaft Bochum eG is a housing cooperative based in Bochum, Germany. Founded in 1920 by 81 free trade unionists and construction workers, it was established to build affordable, good-quality homes for local residents amid poor housing conditions after the First World War.45
The cooperative now has around 2,300 members and approximately 1,700 homes across Bochum.5 Its work includes building and modernising housing, with neighbourhoods and housing estates in areas including Wattenscheid, Somborn, Wiemelhausen, Ehrenfeld and Harpen.45 The organisation describes its purpose as extending beyond the buildings themselves: members can participate in decisions and help shape their homes and community, while the cooperative’s stated priority is its members rather than profit.5
The cooperative is governed through a member-representative structure: members elect representatives, who in turn elect the supervisory board responsible for overseeing the management board.2 Oliver Krudewig has served as full-time management board member since 2013; the current team also includes part-time board members Dörthe Blappert and Stefan Spanke.3 The supervisory board has been chaired by Frank Hintermayr since 2016.23
Its registered seat and main office are in Bochum, at Friederikastraße 135.811 Its housing and activities are centred on the city, giving it a local geographic scope.5