Michel Briene, Robert Kievit, Erik van Ossenbruggen & others
Ecorys
2021
The report titled European Research on Housing Cooperatives was published on June 1, 2021, by ECORYS, a research and consultancy company known for its in-depth analysis in various fields, including housing and urban development. Commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, specifically the Housing Market Directorate, the study was authored by Michel Briene, Robert Kievit, Erik van Ossenbruggen, Rixt Bos, and Frank de Gouw. The research aimed to explore the potential of housing cooperatives in the Netherlands, where such initiatives have been limited since the revised Housing Act was introduced in 2015. 🌍 Context and Objectives This research was prompted by the complexities and financial challenges faced in establishing housing cooperatives in the Netherlands. The Dutch government sought insights from countries like Denmark, Germany, Austria, Sweden, and Switzerland, where housing cooperatives have been more successfully integrated into the housing system. 🏡 Key Findings The report highlights significant differences in the development and role of housing cooperatives across Europe. In Denmark and Sweden, cooperatives are often part of the broader housing system, offering ownership-like rights without full property ownership. Conversely, Germany and Austria focus more on traditional rental models with high member involvement. Switzerland has a well-established cooperative sector that contributes significantly to affordable housing. 📊 Market Share Housing cooperatives have varying market shares in these countries. They play a substantial role in urban areas of Denmark and Sweden, while in Germany and Austria, they represent a smaller yet significant market portion. The Swiss cooperative sector is notable for its strong contribution to affordable housing solutions. 👥 Target Groups Cooperatives tend to serve lower to middle-income groups but adapt to local needs and regulatory environments. Most operate as associations with democratic governance structures, allowing members to influence management decisions. 📜 Legal Frameworks The legal frameworks supporting cooperative housing vary across countries, often providing tax benefits or subsidies to encourage development. Financing methods typically include member contributions, government subsidies, and loans from cooperative-friendly institutions. 🇳🇱 Applicability to the Netherlands The report suggests that housing cooperatives are unlikely to have an immediate significant impact on the Dutch housing market due to existing housing corporations. However, they could address specific local needs or community projects. Recommendations include enhancing legal frameworks and exploring financial instruments to support cooperative growth. 🔧 Instruments for Stimulation Several adaptive instruments for stimulating cooperatives in the Netherlands are identified, such as financial incentives, legal reforms to simplify cooperative formation, and knowledge-sharing platforms for best practices. 📈 Conclusion While direct applicability of foreign models is limited due to structural differences, the report concludes there are valuable lessons and practices from other countries that could enhance the role of cooperatives in the Dutch housing market.
Europees onderzoek naar wooncoöperaties - Inzicht in de mogelijke bijdrage van wooncoöperaties voor de Nederlandse woningmarkt
Ecorys
The report titled European Research on Housing Cooperatives was conducted by ECORYS and published on June 1, 2021. It was commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, specifically the Housing Market Directorate. The authors of this comprehensive study include Michel Briene, Robert Kievit, Erik van Ossenbruggen, Rixt Bos, and Frank de Gouw.
Context and Objectives
The research was initiated in response to limited experiences with housing cooperatives in the Netherlands since the introduction of the revised Housing Act in 2015. This act aimed to provide tenants of housing corporations with the opportunity to form housing cooperatives, thereby increasing tenant control over their living situations. However, evaluations indicated that establishing such cooperatives remains complex and financially challenging. Consequently, the Dutch government sought to explore the potential contributions of housing cooperatives by examining their roles in Denmark, Germany, Austria, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Key Findings
Housing Cooperatives in Europe
- Varied Development: The development and role of housing cooperatives vary significantly across countries. In Denmark and Sweden, cooperatives are more integrated into the general housing system, often involving ownership-like rights without full property ownership. In Germany and Austria, cooperatives are more traditional, focusing on rental models with significant member involvement.
- Market Share: The market share of housing cooperatives differs widely:
- In Denmark and Sweden, they play a substantial role in urban areas.
- In Germany and Austria, they represent a smaller but significant portion of the housing market.
- Switzerland has a well-established cooperative sector that contributes notably to affordable housing.
- Target Groups: Cooperatives across these countries generally aim to serve lower to middle-income groups but vary in their specific focus based on local needs and regulatory environments.
- Organizational Structure: Most cooperatives operate as associations with democratic governance structures where members have significant say in management decisions.
- Legal Frameworks: Each country has specific legal frameworks supporting cooperative housing, often providing tax benefits or subsidies to encourage development.
- Financial Models: Financing methods include member contributions (often substantial), government subsidies, and loans from cooperative-friendly financial institutions.
Applicability to the Netherlands
- Limited Immediate Impact: Due to existing structures like housing corporations fulfilling similar roles at scale, housing cooperatives are unlikely to significantly impact short-term availability or affordability of housing in the Netherlands.
- Niche Opportunities: They hold potential for addressing specific local needs or community-based living projects where traditional models fall short.
- Policy Recommendations: The report suggests enhancing legal frameworks to support cooperative initiatives and exploring financial instruments that could facilitate cooperative growth.
Instruments for Stimulation
The study identifies several instruments used across Europe that could be adapted for use in the Netherlands:
- Financial incentives such as tax breaks or subsidies.
- Legal reforms to simplify cooperative formation.
- Knowledge-sharing platforms to spread best practices among potential cooperative founders.
Conclusion
The report concludes that while direct transferability of foreign models is limited due to structural differences in housing markets, there are valuable lessons and practices that could be adapted to enhance the role of cooperatives in addressing specific challenges within the Dutch housing market.