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Housing Cooperatives Worldwide

Housing cooperatives exist on all continents in many different formats. You can find out more about cooperative housing by entering the name of a country below or by hovering over the Housing Co-operatives Worldwide interactive map.

CHI is collaborating with Urbamonde to share best practices in community-led housing via the Co-Habitat Network where collaborative housing groups and their support actors can enter details on development, financing, management and more in a digital platform.

Resources

  • Community Land Co-operative Template Rules & Guide (Australia) img

    Community Land Co-operative Template Rules…

    Legal Asia & Pacific Educational

    This resource from Australia's Co-operation Housing is a guide on establishing a community land trust (CLT) using a cooperative legal structure. Furthermore, it addresses the key question of how the core objectives of CLTs and cooperatives can be combined.Read More

  • Surrendering the environment for capital gain and Olson’s group theory: A case study of the dissolution of housing co-operative societies in Hong Kong img

    Surrendering the environment for capital…

    History Asia & Pacific Research Paper

    This paper describes the rise of cooperative housing for civil servants and its fall during the transition of Hong Kong from a British colony to a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China.Read More

  • Housing Co-operatives in Germany: 160 Years of Evolution and Resilience img

    Housing Co-operatives in Germany: 160…

    History Germany Research Paper

    This paper examines the evolution and resilience of housing co-operatives in Germany from their beginning 160 years ago to the present against the backdrop of an ever-changing political, economic, social, and cultural environment. The authors divide the discussion into five parts: 1803-1914 — The Rise of Housing Co-operatives; 1914-1933 — World War I and the Weimar Republic; 1933-1945 — Destruction of Housing Co-operative Values and Principles, and World War II; 1945-October 1990 — A New Beginning. Housing Co-operatives in East and West Germany; and Post-1990 — From Unification to Today’s Challenges.Read More

All Resources
18%

of dwellings in Zurich are housing cooperatives

3,600

Cooperativas de Vivienda en Uruguay

21,000

Community-led homes under development in the UK

  • 18%

    of dwellings in Zurich are housing cooperatives

  • 3,600

    Cooperativas de Vivienda en Uruguay

  • 21,000

    Community-led homes under development in the UK

E-bulletins





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  • Spring 2024 img

    Spring 2024

    The Spring 2024 newsletter highlights the significant benefits of community gardens within housing cooperatives around the globe. They provide a wide array of advantages including fostering community bonding, promoting mental well-being, providing access to fresh produce, and supporting sustainable practices. We also provide updates on a few CHI Initiatives such as the CHI Board meeting in Berlin, the legal research initiative on housing cooperative law and more....Read More

  • December 2023 E-bulletin img

    December 2023 E-bulletin

    Read about CHI's first interview in the pilot phase of the International Legal Research Analysis Initiative (ILRAI), the International Financing of Young Housing Cooperatives in Central and Eastern Europe workshop, the latest Coop Conversations podcast episode with ROC USA, a summary of Victoria Falls Housing Coop in Zimbabwe and more....Read More

  • November 2023 E-bulletin img

    November 2023 E-bulletin

    Our November newsletter is here! Discover more about our upcoming legal research project, our participation in the Global Innovation Coop Summit, a profile of re-elected board member Mike Duru and much more! Read More

All E-Bulletins

What is a Housing Cooperative?

What is Cooperative Housing?

What is Cooperative Housing? img

Housing cooperatives are jointly-owned, democratically-controlled enterprises designed to meet the common economic, social, and cultural needs of their members.

Why Become a Member of Cooperative Housing International?

Why Become a Member of Cooperative Housing International? img

CHI is a mutually supportive community of cooperative housing federations and associations in over 70 countries. Join Cooperative Housing International (CHI) and become part of the international cooperative movement.

How Housing Co-ops are Mitigating Climate Change

How Housing Co-ops are Mitigating Climate Change img

Environmental protection and good business practices go hand in hand. Housing cooperatives around the world are leading the way with sustainability initiatives.

Housing Co-ops for Sustainability

Housing Co-ops for Sustainability img

Co-op housing communities worldwide are building a more sustainable future by working towards meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This blueprint sets out targets for achieving a more equitable and sustainable future.

What's the Legal Framework of Cooperative Housing?

What's the Legal Framework of Cooperative Housing? img

A cooperative is a legal entity owned and democratically controlled by its members.

How Do Housing Co-ops Keep Rent Affordable?

How Do Housing Co-ops Keep Rent Affordable? img

Cooperative housing is designed to keep housing affordable and operates on a non-profit basis.

How Does Cooperative Housing Compare with Other Models?

How Does Cooperative Housing Compare with Other Models? img

When you join a housing co-op, you become part of a democratic community. You join a housing co-op by purchasing shares of the co-op that owns the property. As a member of a co-op, you’re an indirect owner.

Benefits of Cooperative Housing

Benefits of Cooperative Housing img

Housing co-ops welcome many different people, including those of different cultural backgrounds, diversities, and income levels. Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.

Who is Cooperative Housing for?

Who is Cooperative Housing for? img

Cooperative housing is great for people who want to take an active role in their community. Everyone is welcome in cooperative housing. Some co-ops are focused on providing housing for lower-income individuals, some are family-oriented, others are focused on seniors.

How Do I Start a Housing Co-op?

How Do I Start a Housing Co-op? img

So, you want to start a housing cooperative? Where do you begin? First, gather your core group of members and define your goals. Then decide which co-op model is best for you. Different models are available depending on the country you are in.

Advantages of Being Part of the Wider Global Movement

Advantages of Being Part of the Wider Global Movement img

Tap into a worldwide support network, accessing news, research, global best practices, education, expertise, and advice.  Not to mention being part of a community of over 3 million cooperatives representing over 1 billion members!

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