In this e-bulletin, we are excited to announce the completion of the first interview in the pilot phase of the International Legal Research Analysis Initiative (ILRAI).  This legal research project examines various aspects of cooperative housing law, such as governance structures, membership rights and obligations, financing and taxation, dispute resolution mechanisms, and regulatory oversight concerning housing cooperatives.

Additionally, we highlight a workshop held in Berlin in December 2023 attended by representatives of housing cooperatives, foundations, NGOs, practitioners related to housing and real estate, municipalities, ministries, and EU entities that are working together to identify financing models and partnerships to support young housing cooperatives in Central and Eastern Europe.

For our podcast listeners you will be happy to hear that our latest Coop Conversations podcast episode is out. We interview Paul Bradley, former CEO of ROC USA, and Kristi Peterman, a resident and board member of Liberty Landing Cooperative. ROC USA is a non-profit social venture that aims to facilitate resident ownership of manufactured home parks on a larger scale. Liberty Landing is a resident-owned manufactured home park located in Liberty, Missouri – a suburb of Kansas City.

We also feature Victoria Falls Housing Cooperative in Zimbabwe. The 68 members of the coop sell clothes and other items at the local flea market to raise funds for the construction of their homes. A significant portion of the town’s population is engaged in cross-border and informal trading, which includes home-based industries and the creation of artworks that support the town’s main economic activity.

The newsletter also covers the 17th ICA-AP Research Conference held on 4–5 November 2023 at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Manila. The theme “Cooperatives Advancing Social Responsibility for the 2030 Agenda” brought together over 50 academicians from eight countries in the Asia Pacific region for mutual exchange and peer learning to promote actions  in sustainable development.

We also provide the latest legislative news, publications, and upcoming events. You can read the entire bulletin here. Don’t forget to subscribe to our e-bulletin to stay up-to-date with the latest news and developments in cooperative housing.