Policy Brief: Collaborative Housing in Europe. Living laboratories of the future.

Pierre Arnold; Marie Brandt

Urbamonde

2025

🏠 Context and Purpose The policy brief titled "Collaborative Housing in Europe: Living Laboratories of the Future" was created by Pierre Arnold and Marie Brandt. It aims to address the growing interest in collaborative housing models in Europe, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Published by Urbamonde, a platform focused on urban cooperative initiatives, this brief highlights the diverse landscape of collaborative housing and its potential to foster resilience and sustainability in urban environments. 📊 Key Findings and Data The brief emphasizes that collaborative housing projects have shown significant benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 96% of participants in collaborative housing reporting positive experiences regarding collective resilience. Furthermore, 87% highlighted improvements in health outcomes, while 79% noted enhanced living conditions. These findings suggest that collaborative housing not only promotes community well-being but also serves as a viable model for sustainable living. 🔑 Challenges to Expansion Despite the evident benefits, the brief raises critical questions about the limited number of collaborative housing projects across Europe. It identifies several barriers, including a lack of political will, insufficient knowledge about collaborative housing, restrictive legal frameworks, and challenges related to accessing land and funding. The authors argue that addressing these issues is essential for the growth of collaborative housing initiatives in the region. 📋 Policy Recommendations To foster the expansion of collaborative housing, the brief outlines key policy recommendations. These include increasing awareness and knowledge about collaborative housing among policymakers, creating supportive legal frameworks, ensuring access to land and financing, and facilitating the development of common spaces. Implementing these recommendations could significantly enhance the viability of collaborative housing as a sustainable living option. 🌍 Conclusion In conclusion, the policy brief presents collaborative housing as a promising solution to address urban challenges in Europe. By leveraging the lessons learned during the pandemic and implementing the recommended policies, stakeholders can create a more supportive environment for collaborative housing initiatives, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and resilient urban communities.