Housing innovation from the bottom up: creating co-housing and co-living for economically vulnerable groups
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Göteborgs universitet - Göteborgs universitet Gothenburg Research Institute GRI |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 4 342 368 |
| Project duration | November 2021 - April 2026 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Social hållbarhet |
| Call | Social sustainability in the physical environment |
Important results from the project
The project has established a knowledge platform at codesign.nu/housinginnovation/ featuring books, films, study visits, webinars, etc. The project has helped ensure that Söderhamn’s local development plan, housing supply plan and rural strategy pave now include housing cooperatives. It has also led to the formation of housing coops in Söderhamn, Trönö and Orust. Finally, it has linked the Swedish non-profit housing sector to European examples and networks, as well as creating Swedish networks.
Expected long term effects
Knowledge is essential for non-profit housing actors to secure their place alongside private and public-sector providers. Examples and dialogs on how ambitions and knowledge are translated into policy and concrete housing projects are crucial to the non-profit housing sector’s ability to realise its potential. Access to national and international examples, knowledge, strategies and networks builds strength and confidence and, ultimately, brings systemic change within the Swedish housing sector.
Approach and implementation
The knowledge gathering was carried out as collaborative learning involving project participants and invited experts. Part two shifted towards action: initiating implementation of cooperatives in one or more municipalities. The third part focused on knowledge dissemination to housing groups and municipalities to support upscaling, and part four on more general communication and knowledge dissemination. The approach worked well. The contacts with European networks were a positive addition.