Common Equity,  a not-for-profit organisation in Australia, is the only housing provider in NSW that delivers housing cooperatives. It has announced a new worldwide study to identify the extent and value of housing co-operatives around the world.

The research, commissioned by Australia’s Peak Co-op Housing Bodies; ‘Articulating Value in Co-operative Housing’ was undertaken by researchers from Western Sydney University and the University of Newcastle. It analysed existing research in a dozen countries. The findings point to the significant benefits of Co-operative Housing Models. For example:

• Cost Savings: up to 14% lower capital and operating costs under the co-operative model
• Social Capital: Stronger social networks and sense of community – higher than any other form of housing Health & Wellbeing:
• Widespread reports that living in a housing co-operative provides a greater sense of physical, emotional, mental health and well-being Resident Satisfaction:
• Widespread reports of lower costs, high-quality homes with better security and housing stability.

Their research found that “The existing research indicates numerous potential benefits created by cooperative housing in many countries. This gives us a solid starting point for identifying the extent and nature of the value created by Australia’s housing co-operatives, including the value generated by the people who live in co-operatives” says Louise Crabtree, Senior Researcher, from Western Sydney University.

Click here to read their media release.  The full Research Report for Stage One will be released in mid-late August 2018.  A second stage of the research is expected to commence by the end of 2018 and will quantify the extent to which co-operative housing delivers value in the Australian context.