La Fabrique de l’Habitat Participatif is an association established in 2022 in the Lyon metropolitan area to promote and support the creation of collaborative housing projects. It originated from a coalition of local professional and associative actors, such as Habicoop AURA, Cohab’titude, Habitat & Partage, Cap Habitat Coopératif, and others with experience in participatory housing initiatives.
The organisation was launched in June 2022 in Lyon’s 7th arrondissement, with support from municipal officials, professionals, and interested residents. Its main activities include providing information about participatory housing models, guiding citizens through every stage of project development, and connecting emerging groups with relevant experts, public authorities, and landowners. La Fabrique organizes workshops on practical themes—such as collective values, architectural needs, governance structures, and financing options—to help groups define and progress their projects.
Rather than acting as a project developer, La Fabrique serves as an interface and facilitator. It offers resources and structured support to citizens, helping them imagine different ways to live together while reducing speculation and promoting social value in urban development. Its current activities range from introductory meetings for newcomers to technical support for established collectives.
La Fabrique works closely with local authorities to identify available land for non-speculative projects. Its approach emphasizes the active participation of future residents in the design and management of their homes, aiming to ensure that housing is seen as a social investment rather than a commodity. The association is active within the Lyon region, but its collaborative structure includes partners from broader territories in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.