Serial production of low-cost dwelling units by the Böblinger cooperative

Serial production of low-cost dwelling units by the Böblinger cooperative

**BürgerWohnen Landkreis Böblingen eG: A Cooperative Addressing Affordable Housing Shortage**

In the district of Böblingen, Germany, a new cooperative named BürgerWohnen Landkreis Böblingen eG is making strides to address the region's affordable housing shortage, particularly in the area of affordable rental apartments.

### A Cooperative Approach to Housing

BürgerWohnen Landkreis Böblingen eG is a social housing cooperative, similar to the existing Bürgergenossenschaft Wohnen in Ludwigsburg. These cooperatives are community-driven organizations where members collectively own and manage housing properties. The aim is to provide affordable housing options by pooling resources and sharing costs among members.

### Solving the Affordable Housing Crisis

The district of Böblingen faces a shortage of 8,500 apartments, and BürgerWohnen Landkreis Böblingen eG has several strategies to address this issue:

1. **Collective Ownership**: Members pool their resources to purchase or develop properties, making housing more affordable through shared costs and decision-making processes.

2. **Long-term Rentals**: Cooperatives often focus on providing stable, long-term rentals rather than short-term agreements, creating more stable housing environments.

3. **Community Engagement**: Members are typically involved in decision-making processes, ensuring that housing needs and priorities are community-driven.

4. **Financial Benefits**: Cooperatives can offer lower mortgage rates or shared maintenance costs, reducing the financial burden on members.

5. **Sustainable Development**: Many cooperatives focus on sustainable housing practices, improving energy efficiency and environmental impact.

### Collaborative Efforts and Innovative Solutions

To facilitate the construction of new social housing, the district of Böblingen has entered into a framework agreement 2.0 with the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community to speed up planning. The district also plans to build modular wooden-hybrid buildings for the BürgerWohnen cooperative.

The old petrol station site in Herrenberg will be leased to the cooperative on an hereditary basis, and the city council of Herrenberg has decided to join BürgerWohnen Landkreis Böblingen eG. The rent for the new apartments is expected to be 9.50 euros per square meter, with construction costs below 3,000 euros per square meter.

### A Lean and Supported Cooperative

BürgerWohnen aims to be lean in its administration, with only 1.5 positions planned. The cooperative caters exclusively to social tenants and is supported solely by municipalities. District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier (CDU) has been instrumental in driving forward the foundation of the cooperative.

Herrenberg is the third municipality to join BürgerWohnen, following the district itself and the towns of Holzgerlingen and Rutesheim. The district currently has 1,540 social rental apartments, and by 2028, a further 80 residential units are to be built in five to six buildings.

District Administrator Allgaier has criticized the lack of KfW funding and cost-increasing requirements such as the parking obligation in the construction of social housing. Despite these challenges, the cooperative's lean structure and support from municipalities are expected to contribute significantly to addressing the affordable housing shortage in the district of Böblingen.

Members of the BürgerWohnen Landkreis Böblingen eG cooperative, aiming to create a more affordable living environment, are not only focusing on providing affordable rental apartments but also expanding into home-and-garden solutions. This expanded focus includes sustainable and energy-efficient home-and-garden options for members, contributing to an overall improved lifestyle within the district.

In an effort to facilitate the construction of new social housing, the district of Böblingen is collaborating with the BürgerWohnen Landkreis Böblingen eG cooperative to create more sustainable municipalities, providing a lifestyle that is both comfortable and eco-friendly.

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