The International Legal Research and Analysis Initiative (ILRAI) of the International Cooperative Alliance, coordinated by Cooperative Housing International, provides the first comparative legal analysis of cooperative housing frameworks across continents. The initiative and its findings were launched in October 2025 at the Peace Palace in The Hague, marking an important milestone for global cooperative housing advocacy.

At the core of ILRAI is a shared understanding that law plays a decisive role in recognising, protecting and enabling housing cooperatives. Grounded in the cooperative identity and values, the analysis explores how legal frameworks translate principles such as democratic member control, service at cost and concern for community into concrete rules governing land, housing, finance and governance.

A comparative legal approach

ILRAI is based on a harmonised questionnaire developed by CHI in collaboration with the ICA Cooperative Law Committee and completed by national experts from 20 countries. The methodology allows for structured comparison across regions while respecting different legal traditions. The analysis focuses on key legal dimensions, including:

• legal recognition and definitions of housing cooperatives;

• governance, member control and democratic safeguards;

• protection of cooperative assets;

• access to finance and tax treatment;

• audit, oversight and dispute-resolution mechanisms;

• links between cooperative law, housing policy and data collection.

Key findings across regions

The comparative analysis highlights a consistent pattern. Where housing cooperatives are clearly recognised in law and supported by coherent legal and policy frameworks, they benefit from greater stability, long-term financing and stronger integration into housing systems. This is particularly evident in contexts where service-at-cost models, cooperative audits and public policy alignment are well established.

Conversely, in countries where housing cooperatives operate mainly under general cooperative or company law, legal recognition is often partial. In these cases, gaps around land access, tailored financial instruments and policy alignment continue to limit the sector’s ability to scale, despite strong internal democracy and member engagement.

International and public policy context

The report situates cooperative housing within a broader international policy environment. International organisations increasingly recognise housing cooperatives as community-led, non-speculative solutions that contribute to sustainable development and the progressive realisation of the right to adequate housing. The renewed global focus on cooperatives, including during the International Year of Cooperatives (2025), reinforces this recognition. ILRAI underlines, however, that international commitments must be reflected in national legislation and housing strategies to have a tangible impact.

Why ILRAI matters for CHI members

The updated ILRAI report is intended as a practical reference and advocacy tool. By documenting legal approaches, identifying recurring barriers and highlighting enabling practices, it supports CHI members in:

• engaging with legislators and public authorities on legal reform;

• advocating for secure, enabling frameworks for cooperative housing;

• strengthening asset protection and democratic governance;

• promoting the inclusion of housing cooperatives in housing policies and data systems.

Through ILRAI, CHI and ICA consolidate a shared evidence base that helps members navigate complex legal environments and strengthen the foundations for cooperative housing worldwide.

Access the full ILRAI report here.

Coordinated by Cooperative Housing International and the International Cooperative Alliance. Co-funded by the European Union.

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