Zurich
Zurich

Zurich

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Population (AI)

421,878

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Last edited
Dec 19, 2024 11:01 PM
Category
CapitalOutside EUPrio-25
Local programs

The current city administration in Zurich is actively addressing the topic of housing with a focus on creating more affordable and sustainable housing options. The city aims to increase the share of non-profit housing (public, cooperative, and social) to one-third of all rental apartments by 2050[1][2]. To achieve this goal, Zurich has implemented various policies and initiatives: 1. **Land Policy**: The city purchases land and leases it to cooperatives and non-profit developers at favorable rates, typically for 60-100 years. This approach ensures that land is used for affordable housing and not sold to private developers[2]. 2. **Financial Support**: Zurich has a €280 million housing fund to support the acquisition of land and properties for affordable housing. The city also provides low-interest loans and loan guarantees to cooperatives and non-profit developers[2]. 3. **Inclusionary Zoning**: Zurich requires a percentage of affordable units in new developments and offers density bonuses for projects with a high proportion of affordable housing[2]. 4. **Cooperative Housing**: The city supports housing cooperatives through land allocation, technical assistance, networking, and regulatory support. This includes competitions for land leases, planning and architectural support, and streamlined permitting processes[2]. 5. **Housing First Initiative**: Zurich participates in the “Housing First” initiative, which provides stable housing to the homeless without preconditions[3]. These initiatives demonstrate Zurich’s commitment to creating more affordable and sustainable housing options.

Housing Market

The housing market in Zurich is characterized by high demand and rising prices. Key points include: - **Rental Growth**: Zurich has seen double-digit rental growth, with asking rents rising by 6.3% year-over-year across Switzerland, and even higher in high-demand areas like Zurich[1]. - **Second Homes**: The number of second homes in Zurich has increased by 10%, from 6,610 to 7,250, making up 3.1% of the total housing stock[2]. - **Home Ownership**: Only 26.8% of households in Zurich own their homes, with the majority (73.2%) renting[3]. - **Rental Costs**: Zurich is one of the most expensive places to rent in Switzerland, with an average monthly rental price of approximately €1,654 (CHF 1,654)[3]. - **Public, Social, and Cooperative Housing**: Public housing accounts for 6.8% of all housing units (about 9,000 apartments), while cooperative housing owns approximately 18.1% (about 50,000 apartments), offering rents 20-30% below market rates[4]. - **Total Housing Units**: The exact total number of housing units in Zurich is not provided in the sources, but it is noted that there are over 100 housing cooperatives operating in the city. The median price per sqm to rent or buy an apartment in Zurich is not specified in the provided sources. However, it is mentioned that the development of real estate prices is expected to remain stable at a high level or increase slightly[5].

Further Actors?

In Zurich, several individuals and organizations have expressed their commitment to addressing the housing crisis and promoting affordable and sustainable housing. Key players include: - **Government and Municipal Authorities**: The city of Zurich has set ambitious targets to increase the share of non-profit housing to one-third of all rental apartments by 2050. They actively purchase land and lease it to cooperatives and non-profit developers at favorable rates, and have implemented inclusionary zoning policies[2]. - **Cooperative Housing Associations**: Organizations like the Zürcher Bau- und Spargenossenschaft have a long history of providing affordable housing through cooperative models. These cooperatives benefit from favorable land allocation policies and lower equity requirements, enabling them to offer lower rents[4]. - **European Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI)**: This initiative, led by Housing Europe, aims to accelerate the fair energy transition and address Europe’s housing crisis. It offers training programs and supports local projects that tackle housing affordability and climate challenges[3]. - **Local NGOs and Community Groups**: Various local NGOs and community groups in Zurich are involved in promoting cooperative housing and sustainable living. These organizations could serve as valuable collaboration partners. - **Academic Institutions**: Universities and research centers in Zurich could provide expertise and research support for housing initiatives. - **Real Estate Sector**: Companies and developers that specialize in sustainable and affordable housing projects could be potential partners. - **Startup World**: Innovators and startups focusing on sustainable construction and housing solutions could contribute to addressing the housing crisis.

Cooperatives

In Zurich, housing cooperatives play a significant role in the city's housing market. There are over 100 housing cooperatives operating in the city, owning approximately 18.1% of all housing units, or about 50,000 apartments[1]. These cooperatives operate on a non-profit basis, offering rents 20-30% below market rates. Members purchase shares in the cooperative to gain the right to live in a unit but do not own their individual apartments. The city actively promotes cooperative housing through various policies and programs. Key initiatives include: - Land allocation: The city holds competitions to award land leases to cooperatives with innovative and sustainable project proposals. - Technical assistance: Zurich provides planning and architectural support to help cooperatives develop high-quality projects. - Regulatory support: The city has streamlined permitting processes for cooperative housing projects and offers flexibility in certain building regulations to encourage innovation. - Public awareness: The city promotes the cooperative housing model through educational campaigns and public events[1]. Notable cooperative projects include Kalkbreite and Mehr als Wohnen, which offer innovative living arrangements such as cluster apartments, shared spaces, and community facilities. These projects demonstrate the potential for cooperative housing to provide affordable and sustainable living options while fostering community engagement[3][4].