Olten is known for being a major railway hub in Switzerland, where many of the country's railway lines converge, making it a central point in the Swiss rail network.
The current situation of the housing market in Olten, a city in Europe, reflects broader regional trends. Approximately 30% of EU residents rent their apartments, while 70% own their homes. Olten, like many European cities, is facing a housing crisis characterized by shortages and escalating rents. The city is addressing this issue through various policy measures aimed at ensuring affordable housing. These include housing allowances, social rental housing, and rent regulations. Social housing constitutes about 8% of the total housing stock in the EU, with countries like the Netherlands, Austria, and Denmark having larger social housing sectors. Olten is likely to follow similar strategies, focusing on increasing the supply of affordable housing and implementing policies to mitigate the effects of overcrowding and high housing costs. The city's efforts are part of a broader European initiative to adopt a new housing paradigm, support fair energy transitions, and address the root causes of housing exclusion.
The role of housing cooperatives in the city of Olten, Switzerland, is significant in providing affordable housing and promoting community-driven, sustainable living. Housing cooperatives in Olten contribute to the local housing market by offering a form of housing that is particularly beneficial for lower and middle-income households. These cooperatives are organized as associations with full legal capacity, enabling members to manage and maintain residential real estate independently. In Olten, housing cooperatives play a crucial role in addressing housing affordability and availability issues. The city supports cooperative housing by providing targeted housing support for specific groups, such as asylum-seekers, and through policies that encourage the development of new cooperative housing projects. The city's approach to cooperative housing aligns with broader European initiatives that recognize the importance of cooperatives in the twin digital and green transition and the New European Bauhaus. While specific data on the market share of housing cooperatives in Olten is not available, the city's commitment to cooperative housing is evident through its ongoing support for new projects and initiatives. This support includes public land concessions and innovative strategies to engage residents in cooperative housing models.