Cooperative homes limit the housing crisis in Spain

Real estate speculation is one of the most prominent causes of the housing crisis in Spain, as it contributes greatly to the high prices of housing that does not meet the needs of the population, which increases social isolation.

In the face of this crisis, collective housing projects appeared as an innovative and influential solution, a residential model that enhances the concept of cooperation and aims to facilitate access to housing at reasonable prices.

Cooperative housing is one of the innovative forms that began to appear in Spain, a model that belongs to Denmark in the 1960s.

This model works as a solidarity, as cooperative societies manage the project, and provide residents with special housing with common spaces for care and services.

One of the most important advantages of this model is that it prohibits the sale or rental of homes individually, which prevents real estate speculation and ensures the stability of housing.

The basic idea is that these projects depend on the housing model, which is intended that their owners cannot trade in, but rather the permanent owner of these homes is the cooperative association that transmits their use to members.

If one of the owners of these houses leaves or dies, the first fees, which the deceased, pushed to his heirs, will be returned, while the one who replaces the deceased member pay the same fees, that is, no operations are applied to re -evaluate the property.

Types of housing

These projects include multiple types of housing, some of which are affordable, and others require large sums between 5000 and 40 thousand dollars, as a preliminary contribution that constitutes 20% of the capital, with the possibility of financing the rest of the amount through residential cooperatives.

The monthly fees for these projects are less than traditional market prices, as it ranged between 300 and 700 dollars per month, which makes them an attractive alternative to many families.

The technical secretary of the cooperative housing group, Robin Mendes, said that these projects are not just residential solutions, but also a “reference model for the future” that enhances access to all income categories, indicating that in some cases a model similar to traditional rent is applied, as members pay a monthly amount for joint housing.

He explained: «There is no horizontal division, meaning that cooperative housing cannot be divided and separated certain apartments from the main cooperative housing, where the possibility of trade in the apartment is eliminated, and remains far from speculation and political changes.

Mendes added that in any case, cooperative housing rates remain less than market prices, indicating that they are 15 to 20%less.

He continued: “I see that this model in housing is an alternative to the housing crisis in Spain, by improving access to housing through all income categories,” expecting that the standard model for future housing will be.

Great projects

However, some major projects require greater participation in the capital, as the initial amount reaches between 100 thousand and 300 thousand dollars, with monthly payments ranging between 900 and 1500 dollars, according to the site and the size of the project.

“This is very common in some major projects, and it is currently more like buying a traditional house because the capital accumulates in the house, and therefore the amount that is returned when the member of the cooperative association leaves much higher, but at first it is more difficult to reach it.”

“These projects are a suitable option for those who want to invest capital in the long run.”

jump

Cooperative housing is still low in Spain, and the cooperative housing group seeks to obtain greater government support, to consolidate itself and its idea aimed at facilitating housing on the population.

However, the number of “cooperative homes” jumped from 100 housing houses in 2020 to more than 2000 by 2025, and in light of the current momentum to implement projects, this number can double by 2028, according to the estimates of the cooperative housing group.

In 2018, the “La Borda” project was opened as a self -organized residential community that includes 28 cooperative houses.

Age of the elderly

Finally, residential projects have appeared for the elderly, as these residential societies provide an appropriate environment for active and healthy aging, and the “Interintos” complex project in Madrid is an example of this type of housing, as it includes 35 apartments dedicated to those whose ages ranged between 50 and 70 years, and covers the monthly amount paid for the elderly of all necessary services such as food and cleaning.

“We have completed the construction of a plot of 3000 square meters, and we are waiting for the licenses required by the municipality to start housing in the complex,” said Juan Don Dios Lopez, coordinator of the advertising and admission committee in the complex.

There are currently 12 residential projects for the elderly under implementation, in addition to 20 other projects in the development stages.

These projects are not limited to providing a place for housing, but also aimed at eliminating a feeling of isolation and enhancing social solidarity, which contributes to improving the lives of the elderly and enhancing their integration into society.

Collective housing is presented as a way to solve social, environmental and economic problems, especially in projects targeting the elderly, as homes are designed as places where they can live independently.

About «Il Payes»

---

First project

Cooperative house residents in northern Spain celebrate their residence. From the source

Work began on the «Exitsei» project – which is the first collaborative residential project in the Astorias region in northwestern Spain – in 2014, through the cooperation of five women between the ages of 39 and 64 years.

“The project is transient for generations, and it targets all ages, starting from birth to the age of 70,” said project head, Marie Ason Rodriguez.

He added, “By next summer, we will live there (in the project),” but she complained of a lack of government aid.

The project president was one of the five women, who started establishing the project when she retired at the age of 64, and she is now 74 years old.

The project includes 30 homes, 1000 square meters of common areas (a community dining room, a washing room, and similar things) under completion.

Prohibition of selling or renting cooperative homes individually, preventing real estate speculation and ensuring the stability of housing.

Some of the costs are affordable, while others require large sums that may reach $ 40,000.

---

to support

The Cooperative Housing Group in Spain seeks to obtain greater government support, to achieve more expansion in collective housing projects, as it is a social and economic solution to meet the challenges imposed by population growth and social changes.

---

Tourism doubles the demand for housing

Real estate owners find in tourists an opportunity to earn some money. From the source

House rental has become one of the most sophisticated issues in Spain. Rental prices have remained continuously for years, and in the face of this reality, there was no lack of advice that recommended tenants to look beyond the city centers in search of housing at reasonable prices.

But this solution is not always possible, as the impact of the high housing rental prices has long reached the outskirts of cities.

In some places, it goes further, as it exceeds four regions of the recommended rental value, even outside its urban areas, according to the latest annual report issued by the Bank of Spain. According to one of the experts in this field, there are three types of regions, including urban areas centers, limbs, and areas outside urban areas.

And in Andalusia, the billiards, the canary, and Kanabria, the average rental price exceeds 30% of the net families ’income everywhere.

One of the residents, Erico Garcia (30 years old), realizes this fact well, as he moved with his 30 -year -old wife, to a small village, Herrera de Libyo, in the northeast of the Cantia station.
The spouses have two children, and they are now renting a house in a garden for 500 euros ($ 540) per month.

“The summer boom makes residential complexes look empty in the winter,” Garcia said.

The increasing tourism activity in northern Spain has increased the demand for summer residence, as real estate owners in travelers find an opportunity to earn some money from their real estate.
Residents of the village of Kumilas, who want to move from the family’s home, must deal with high rental prices, or surrender to search elsewhere.