A new Housing Europe report examines the evolving role of housing cooperatives as key providers of affordable and democratic housing. Since their emergence in the mid-19th century, cooperatives have upheld the principle of “one person, one vote” while offering high-quality, non-speculative homes.

While maintaining their core commitments, housing cooperatives have expanded their focus to include stronger ties with local communities, new tenure models, and intergenerational projects. They have also inspired new forms of collective homeownership. Rising real estate prices, environmental sustainability, and social challenges such as isolation have driven further interest in cooperative housing as a socially, economically, and sustainable solution.

The report provides an updated overview of the cooperative housing sector in Europe, emphasizing its resilience amid a growing and persistent housing crisis. It highlights the difficulties faced by low- and middle-income groups in accessing affordable homes and explores how cooperatives can help address these challenges.

Divided into two sections, the report first examines well-established cooperatives, their current challenges, and innovative solutions, as well as the role of European policies in supporting their efforts. The second section focuses on newer cooperatives that have emerged since the 2008 financial crisis, identifying barriers to their development and sharing lessons for future initiatives.

The report is based on insights from cooperative housing federations across 12 European countries, offering a comprehensive perspective on the sector’s ongoing evolution and potential for future growth.

Read the full report here.