The Collective Meaning of “Sense of Home”: Experiences from a Rental Housing Cooperative in Melbourne, Australia, and Choluteca, Honduras

A recent study by Guity-Zapata, Stone, and Nygaard examines how residents in rental housing cooperatives (RHCs) in Melbourne, Australia, and Choluteca, Honduras, experience a “sense of home”—a key factor in physical and mental wellbeing. Amid growing housing crises that leave many renters vulnerable to poor conditions and instability, the study offers insights into how cooperative living can foster stronger feelings of home.

Abstract

Cities worldwide are facing a “housing crisis” predominantly affecting low- and middle-income renters, leading to issues such as poor-quality living environments and eviction risks. This can result in homelessness and health problems. Sense of home is linked to physical and mental wellbeing. However, less is known about achieving it in collaborative housing contexts like housing cooperatives. This article uses Social Practices Theory to explore residents’ experiences of sense of home in rental housing cooperatives (RHC) through 15 in-depth interviews conducted in Melbourne, Australia, and Choluteca, Honduras. The study examines how RHC residents collectively construct personal homes (individual experience), social homes (community experience), and physical homes (built environment). Findings reveal that sense of home is fostered by residents’ autonomy, participation in collective and individual activities, and the ability to navigate challenges. This study extends the concept of sense of home by focusing on collaborative settings, contrasting with individual and market-driven housing.

You can access the article here.

Australia Research Paper