We at AG Wohnen have been working for a long time to maintain affordable housing and improve the position of non-profit housing. AG Wohnen is the relaxed one Association of small, independent and self-managed housing cooperativeswhich have been created since the 1980s, first in Lorraine, but also in other districts of the city of Bern.
Ten percent of Bern’s housing stock belongs to non-profit housing developers such as cooperatives. This is little compared to other cities. Zurich and Biel each have around twenty percent, Thun, Lucerne and Basel also have significantly more. These numbers are not new. What is new is that the city of Bern wants to change something and bring non-profit housing construction out of its slumber.
If this does not happen, the structure of the apartments will gradually change. Today, inexpensive apartments are already becoming chic and expensive condominiums. Those who can no longer afford the high rents move away to the agglomeration. This phenomenon is repeated in many cities around the world. Anyone who wants to prevent this must take countermeasures. Non-profit housing construction is an important element in this. It creates the conditions for small and medium income earners to also find living space in the city.
If you would like to get involved in our interest group or start a WBG —- send us an email
