Cooperatives to buy homes at cost: A forgotten formula for easing Spain’s housing crisis?

Housing cooperatives in Spain, which have built over 2.5 million homes since 1957, are advocating for more public land and streamlined processes to address the housing crisis. Despite their significant role, current output is insufficient to meet demand, with calls for increased production of affordable housing. Cooperatives eliminate developer profits, allowing homes to be sold at cost, yet rising land and construction costs are impacting prices. The Madrid region leads in cooperative housing, with a high percentage of new developments being cooperative-led. However, nationwide, most projects are market-rate, reflecting a shift in the cooperative sector's focus. Past failures have been addressed, leading to improved security and professionalism in the industry.