The Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB) has evaluated the effects of cooperative housing models in right of use in Catalonia on the health and well-being of residents.

Within the framework of the project, different qualitative and quantitative studies have been carried out in which 13 cooperatives in Catalonia and more than 280 people have participated.

The health benefits that are evident have to do with various aspects related to the model such as residential and economic security, improved physical conditions in homes, community life and mutual support or increased ties with the immediate environment.

Within the framework of the research project “Cooperative Housing and Health”, the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB) has carried out several studies to assess whether cooperative housing models in shared use in Catalonia can improve the health and well-being of residents. The main results show that this model of collective housing ownership has positive effects on physical, mental, emotional and community health. This confirms the evidence that housing conditions are a determining factor in health.

Cooperative housing in right of use is a model that is spreading in Catalonia, where residents organize themselves to ensure the right to housing and promote community life. In this model, the ownership of the homes is collective and is accessed through a non-profit cooperative formed by the residents themselves, who can live in the home by paying a usage fee, but cannot sell it. This allows access to housing at a price below market, having collective control over their homes and avoiding speculation.

Cooperative housing and health

The methodology used in this ASPB project combines studies with qualitative and quantitative methods in which 13 cooperatives in Catalonia and more than 280 people have participated. Data collection was carried out with personal and group interviews, and information was obtained with surveys, before and after moving into cooperative housing on lease. Data on the energy efficiency and environmental quality of the homes were also collected.

The results obtained show an improvement in perceived physical health, well-being and healthy behaviors and habits that may be related to the residential and economic security offered by the model with stable and lower fees. In addition, the improvement of social support and the fact of sharing resources with the community influences the improvement of well-being. Likewise, these benefits have to do with the improvement of the physical conditions of the home such as energy efficiency and thermal comfort.

Regarding mental and emotional health, an improvement is observed as a result of the reduction of stress, anxiety and the feeling of loneliness generated by economic and residential insecurity and the lack of social support. Living in a community, identification with the values ​​of the project, participation in management, mutual support, having common spaces and care, as well as establishing links with the immediate environment, promote feelings of support, security, trust, enthusiasm, happiness and belonging that contribute to this improvement in emotional well-being and also in social and community health.

The research project has been funded by the Carlos III Health Institute, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Spain), and co-financed with FEDER funds (European Regional Development Fund) from the European Union, through a grant awarded in the 2018 call for the Strategic Action in Health 2013-2016, of the National Research Program oriented to the Challenges of Society, within the framework of the National Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research 2013-2016.

Barcelona, ​​the driving force behind cooperative housing

One of the ways cooperative housing is growing in Barcelona is through the transfer of public land to cooperatives. In 2015, the first two pilot projects were signed: Princesa49 and La Borda, totaling 33 homes. Later, the La Xarxaire developments were added, La Balma, La Chalmeta and Cirerers with 92 homes already delivered. Currently, in Barcelona there are six more developments under construction, totaling a total of 156 homes and five more in different execution processes. All these developments will increase the public stock by almost 400 homes and have made Barcelona the first city in the State to have cooperative housing projects underway.

You can consult the study here: