On February 25, 2025, the ICA-AP Committee on Cooperative Research (ICCR), in collaboration with Cooperative Housing International (CHI) and Development Alternatives (DA), hosted the 12th Coop Colloquium on Affordable and Sustainable Housing. The event brought together global experts, policymakers, and cooperative leaders to discuss how cooperative housing can address the global housing crisis.

Speakers highlighted innovative models, policy recommendations, and best practices from regions worldwide. Key topics included student cooperative housing, sustainable construction, policy frameworks, and the role of international collaboration. The colloquium underscored the importance of cooperative housing in fostering inclusive, self-sustaining communities and called for stronger policy support and global cooperation.

The colloquium ended with a call for cooperative stakeholders to strengthen policy advocacy, capacity building, and international collaboration to promote cooperative housing as a sustainable solution to the global housing crisis. Participants emphasized the need for ongoing research and knowledge exchange, with suggestions for regional forums and a dedicated symposium in the Asia-Pacific region to address specific challenges and opportunities.

In the lead-up to the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, this event reinforced the need for continued research, advocacy, and knowledge-sharing in cooperative housing. Read the full summary here.