Gesewo is a non-profit housing cooperative founded in 1984 to provide housing based on self-managed and community-oriented forms of living.2 Its headquarters and operational centre are in Winterthur, Switzerland, and its activities are regional, focused primarily on the Winterthur area.34
The cooperative provides its members with residential and commercial space in self-managed older and newly constructed buildings.4 Its model is based on autonomous house communities in which residents organise aspects of communal life and assume responsibility for the management of their buildings.15 Gesewo therefore operates between conventional renting and ownership, while seeking to keep housing and commercial premises outside speculative property markets.6
According to the organisation’s project information, Gesewo currently comprises 16 multi-family buildings with 356 apartments and 22 commercial premises in the Winterthur region.1415 More than 800 people live and work under its umbrella, organised in largely autonomous house communities.15 The cooperative applies cost-based rents, which can be substantially below comparable free-market rents.15
Its activities include managing existing properties, developing new housing, supporting resident-led governance, and providing space for businesses and community uses. Current and recent development work includes a project at Obertor 15/17a in Winterthur’s old town and a new-build project with 23 apartments in Wiesendangen.14 The organisation also promotes participation through cooperative membership and financial contributions such as loans, enabling members and supporters to help finance its housing activities.
Gesewo is managed through a board, a business office and committees.12 Leila Hofmann was elected president of the board in 2024, while Jonathan Kischkel is the managing director.1311