W.I.R. e.V. – Wohnen Innovativ Realisieren is a Dortmund-based association that develops and supports community-oriented housing projects. It was organised in 1998 so members could work together on a building project and has been a charitable organisation since 1999. Its stated aim is to promote self-determination and personal responsibility, particularly for older people, through community-focused housing. 2
The association’s approach is to foster reliable neighbourhoods for people at different stages of life. It describes accessible buildings and shared spaces as practical supports for that aim, and says members meet while planning together; W.I.R. also helps groups cooperate with project partners. 1 Its work has centred on Dortmund: a 2019 sector report describes the association as developing and promoting neighbourhood housing there, including on conversion sites, vacant plots and older properties. Projects may take different legal forms, including homeowners’ associations, cooperatives and tenant building groups. 6
One early project, WohnreWIR, was occupied in 2004 and brought together 29 adults and eight children or young people in 21 homes around a shared courtyard and community house. 4 W.I.R. later supported “WIR wohnen anders,” a mixed rental and owner-occupied development in Dortmund’s Hombruch district, occupied from 2010. 8 These examples illustrate the association’s local focus and its use of shared facilities and varied housing arrangements.
The association’s registered contact address is Lange Hecke 49, 44263 Dortmund, and its legal register entry is with the Dortmund district court. 3 The imprint names Harald Rüßler as the contact associated with the notice, but does not identify him as chair or list other board members. 3