About France

Cooperative housing in France or “coopératives d’habitants” has a long, evolving history rooted in social reform and working-class initiatives. From early 20th-century efforts to provide decent housing for low-income families to today’s resident-driven, eco-conscious communities, the cooperative model offers a distinct alternative to both public rental housing and market-driven homeownership. Supported by a strong legal framework and financing mechanisms, cooperative housing in France remains a key player—though relatively niche—in addressing affordability and promoting democratic housing governance.

Historical Origins

Cooperative housing in France dates back to the mid-19th century, beginning with worker-led initiatives like Société coopérative immobilière des ouvriers de Paris (1867). The movement gained legal momentum in the early 20th century through a series of laws—1894 (Siegfried), 1906 (Strauss), 1908 (Ribot), and 1921—that supported low-cost cooperatives known as HBMs (Habitations à Bon Marché). By 1928, 10,000 HBM units had been built.

The Post-War Era and Castors Movement

After WWII, housing cooperatives flourished. Between 1948 and 1952, the “Castors” movement enabled modest-income households to self-build 12,100 homes. HBM cooperatives also resumed rent-to-own schemes. By the mid-1960s, 140 cooperatives had built 130,000 units using 35-year, 2% mortgages. (https://www.cidob.org/en/publications/public-cooperative-housing-policies-international-comparative-perspective)

Legal Shifts and Decline

In 1965 and 1971, legislation restricted cooperatives by prohibiting rental schemes and limiting construction autonomy. Many cooperatives dissolved or converted to standard housing entities. Reforms in 1983 and 1984 restored key cooperative rights, and a renewed framework emerged through 1992 and the 2000 SRU law—recognizing cooperatives as key players in social housing.

Modern Cooperative Housing Models

Today’s French cooperative housing includes:

• HLM (Habitation à Loyer Modéré) cooperatives: Registered social housing co-ops operating rent-to-own models with state subsidies. Approximately 17% of all housing in France is social housing. https://housingcoop.eu/resources/countries-in-europe/france
• Residents’ co-ops: Small-scale, self-organized groups like Mas Coop and Maison des Babayagas, often eco-driven and democratically governed.
• Listen to this Coop Conversations episode with members of Chamarel les Barges Cooperative in Vaux en Velin.

Chamarel les Barges, France

These co-ops promote affordability, shared management, and long-term maintenance of value—through non-indexed share systems.

Financing

• Social housing co-ops (HLM) benefit from government-backed housing savings (Livret A), zero-interest loans, PSLA rent-to-own schemes, and capital from SDHC.
• Local authorities may support co-ops by providing reduced-cost land, grants, tax exemptions, and subsidized infrastructure.
• https://housingcoop.eu/resources/countries-in-europe/france

Government Measures to Address the Housing Crisis in France

To tackle the ongoing housing shortage and improve affordability, the French government has introduced a range of policies:

• Rent controls in high-demand areas such as Paris and other major cities to prevent excessive rent increases.

• Tax incentives for landlords who offer below-market rents to encourage more affordable private rentals.

• The SRU Law (Solidarité et Renouvellement Urbain), which mandates that municipalities maintain a minimum of 20–25% social housing in their overall housing stock.

• Public investment in building and renovating social housing, with a national goal of 250,000 new units per year.

• https://housingcoop.eu/resources/countries-in-europe/france

Legal Framework

French co-ops operate within:

• Commercial Code & 1947 Cooperative Status Act.
• HLM regulations under the Housing Code.
• The Loi ALUR (2014) established a legal framework for housing cooperatives, making it easier to launch and manage such projects.
• Urban solidarity laws (SRU 2000).
• Ethical and organizational codes enforced by the national federation.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_housing_in_France

Cooperative Housing Movement

The FNSC‑HLM federation (est. 1908) represents 165 member co-ops managing 23,000 social housing units and producing roughly 5,000 new units annually. Its governance structure includes regional unions, a federal council, and ethical oversight.

Habicoop: A federation of housing cooperatives offering training, advocacy, and resources to promote and strengthen the cooperative housing sector.

Role and Impact

French cooperative housing offers a middle ground between public social housing and conventional ownership. It fosters long-term affordability, participatory governance, and community cohesion. Modern projects like Mas Coop and Babayagas reflect a renewed interest in ecological, intergenerational, and non-profit housing models.

For more information, visit: www.hlm.coop and www.habitat.coop (French only)

Presentation on Housing Co-operatives in France – Peter Kirkham, Habicoop [2016]

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