EVM Berlin eG is a housing cooperative based in Berlin, Germany, with a history dating back to 1904. Originally founded as the Erbbauverein Moabit by Carl Laux and 26 others, it emerged in response to severe housing shortages and inadequate living conditions in early twentieth-century Berlin. The cooperative’s mission was to provide quality housing at affordable rents for its members, a principle that remains central to its operation.
Today, EVM Berlin eG manages 5,348 apartments across several Berlin districts, including Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Lichtenberg, Mitte, Neukölln, Reinickendorf, Steglitz-Zehlendorf, and Tempelhof-Schöneberg. The average usage fee per square meter is 5.91 euros, reflecting the cooperative’s goal of cost-effective housing.
EVM’s portfolio includes historic pre-war buildings, modernized older structures, and post-war apartments, as well as new developments. Recent projects include the construction of a social center in Mariendorf, which accommodates medical practices, a pharmacy, café, commercial spaces, and assisted living units—addressing the needs of members unable to live independently. The cooperative also offers guest apartments in multiple districts.
Central to its operations are long-term tenancy security, active community engagement, and support services tailored to residents of all ages. EVM Berlin eG sustains its founding values of solidarity and sustainability while adapting to the evolving requirements of urban living.