Intro to Housing Co-ops

Australia is in a housing crisis. We are under-investing in public housing and the private market only gets less and less affordable. Housing co-ops are the answer!

Co-ops are collaborative housing where you can "rent like you own". They are not-for-profits governed collectively by their residents. Co-ops have been shown to perform higher in sustainability, community resilience and wellbeing due to resident participation in governance and community life.

In this talk, we'll explain the co-op model, why it's good for Australia, what we can learn from overseas examples, and how we can start building co-ops here in Sydney.

Some of the topics we'll cover:

• How is a limited-equity housing co-op different from renting? How is it different from owning property?

• How do housing co-ops provide affordable housing, and how do they help the whole housing system work better?

• What makes this different from Australia's existing social housing co-ops? How do co-ops relate to cohousing and community land trusts?

• Where do co-ops fit in with other responses to the housing crisis like public housing and increasing supply?

• What is Sydney Cohousing doing to make co-op housing happen right here in the city?

There will be time for Q&A after the talk, so bring your questions! We will also provide snacks and time to chat over tea or coffee.

Can't make it in person? Join us for an online followup event the following Tuesday evening.

Sydney Cohousing is a community group for locals who want to live more collaboratively, sustainably and affordably together in the city. Find out more and join us at https://sydneycohousing.au/join-us

Image: residents meeting at Murundaka Cohousing Cooperative.

We may photograph attendees at this event, but you will always be able to opt out of having your photo used in any way.