The Handwerker-Wohnungsbau-Genossenschaft eG, known as HaWo, is a housing cooperative based in Braunschweig, Germany. It was formed in response to severe postwar housing shortages and the desire among local tradespeople to take part in rebuilding the city through a cooperative housing enterprise. Wilhelm Wrehde proposed the cooperative in a letter to the Chamber of Crafts on 14 June 1949; its formation was approved on 25 July, and the founding meeting took place on 12 October that year. The cooperative’s statutes were registered with the Braunschweig District Court on 22 November 1949.1
HaWo’s first completed houses were on Schunterstraße in 1951. Between 1951 and 1972 it built ten properties containing 177 homes, along with 35 garages and parking spaces; it later expanded its holdings, including through the purchase of a property with 17 homes and nine garages in 2004.1 The cooperative currently describes itself as a smaller Braunschweig housing provider with eleven properties and 202 homes under management.5
Its work is focused on providing and managing housing in Braunschweig. HaWo says its investment activity is now directed primarily toward maintaining and modernising its existing homes, while leaving open the possibility of further construction where land and financing conditions are favourable.1 Its properties are listed at addresses across the city.10 The cooperative’s registered seat and office are at Wabestraße 11, 38106 Braunschweig.2
The current leadership listed by HaWo comprises managing director Gordon Becker and board members Jörg Mattern and Olaf-Christian Pape; Thomas Hoffmann is named as chair of the supervisory board.2