The social bases of the two entities come together to consolidate the fight for access to decent housing

On Thursday, September 28, they will present the agreement in an event at the Ateneu Enciclopèdic Popular de Barcelona and discuss the synergies between the movement for the right to housing and cooperativism

We are excited to share news that marks a historic moment for our organization and for the movement for the right to housing in Catalonia.

Next Thursday, September 28, at 19 p.m., at the Popular Encyclopedia of Barcelona (Reina Amàlia, 38), Sostre Cívic and the Tenants Union will present an agreement that unites the social bases of the two entities in a collaboration aimed at consolidating the fight for access to decent housing. This agreement is an important milestone, as it is the first of its kind, in Catalonia, between an organization of the movement for the right to housing and a housing cooperative in right of use.

The principles of this union (which was approved in our Assembly last June 30) have as their main objective defending the right to housing for everyone, ensuring that people can live in decent and affordable housing by exercising their rights and opting for alternatives to buying and renting such as cooperative housing. Through this agreement, all members of Sostre Cívic they become affiliates of the Tenants' Union, obtaining benefits such as free legal advice and reduced membership fees. At the same time, the Tenants' Union becomes a collaborating partner of our cooperative, and its affiliates will have preference (with respect to new additions of partners) in the registration to ours cooperative housing projects.

An exciting part of this agreement is our willingness to share information between the two organizations and toexplore the possibility of co-operating buildings of struggling tenants. This initiative follows the principle of preferential purchase of private rental properties collectively by tenants, a practice that has already been successful in countries such as Sweden and Denmark and has contributed to significantly increasing the number of homes cooperatives available.

In addition, the agreement establishes the right of the Union to participate actively in our activities, contribute financially to our sustainability and influence our governing bodies. In the same way, Sostre Cívic will promote the full membership of its members in the Tenants' Union, thus creating a deep and mutually beneficial collaboration.

To present this historic agreement and discuss the opportunities of the cooperative housing movement, we invite you to the joint event that will take place on Thursday 28 September at 19pm at the Popular Encyclopedia of Barcelona. On this occasion, the representatives of Sostre Cívic and the Tenants Union will explain the agreement in detail. In addition, we will have the participation of Lorenzo Vidal, UNED public policy researcher and housing cooperative expert, who will introduce the debate on cooperative models and synergies with social movements.

This union is another firm step in our fight for the right to housing, understanding it as a good for use and not a commodity. We are excited to work side by side with the Tenants' Union in the defense of this fundamental right.