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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

  • MOBA: Rethinking needs and financing for affordable rental and cooperative housing in Central and South-Eastern Europe img

    MOBA: Rethinking needs and financing…

    Financing and Development Europe News Article

    A 2022 research project in eight Central and South-Eastern European countries found that the currently available housing finance tools are inadequate to support the emergence of affordable rental and cooperative housing in the region. MOBA Housing SCE aims to solve this problem by creating a bottom-up revolving fund to financially support local projects.Read More

  • Economic Study: The Impact of Community Housing on Productivity in Canada img

    Economic Study: The Impact of…

    Policy Canada Policy

    Research from Canada shows there is a causal connection between the proportion of community housing within the overall housing stock and gains in economic productivity. The Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA), Housing Partnership Canada, and sector partners commissioned Deloitte to produce a study on the economic value of protecting and building more cooperative and non-profit housing.Read More

  • Mission d’étude québécoise à Vienne, 8 au 14 octobre 2023 img

    Mission d’étude québécoise à Vienne,…

    Research Austria Report

    Du 8 au 14 octobre 2023, s’est tenue dans la ville de Vienne en Autriche une mission d’études québécoise du Canada pour mieux saisir les fondements de la capitale autrichienne sur le plan de l’engagement en matière de logement social et communautaire.Read More

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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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  • 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

  • Autumn 2023 News From CHI img

    Autumn 2023 News From CHI

    In this edition we announce CHI's General Assembly and Board Meeting in October. We also provide a summary on a CHI Member Forum held in May. Listen to housing experts from Canada and UK delve into the advantages and disadvantages of housing cooperatives on leased land in our latest Coop Conversations podcast episode. Read about the International Social Housing Festival in Barcelona in June where housing providers, policymakers and housing advocates from 82 different countries discussed housing challenges and solutions.Read More

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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!

Read More
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