Building cooperatives should act more confidently

Luzern/Solothurn, July 2024

At the 13th delegates' meeting of Wohnen Schweiz on June 20 in Solothurn, association president Daniel Burri emphasized the need for cooperative housing. Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin praised the non-profit developers and called for concrete measures to create affordable housing.

Association President Daniel Burri welcomed around 100 delegates and guests to the 13th ordinary delegates’ meeting of Wohnen Schweiz on 20 June at the Landhaus Solothurn, the association of building cooperatives reported in a press release. Everyone agreed that cooperative housing construction is more necessary than ever due to the housing shortage, according to the press release. Those responsible should therefore be “more self-confident”.

In a video message, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin acknowledged the important role played by non-profit property developers in the creation of affordable housing. Parmelin cited densification, streamlining procedures and the provision of more affordable housing as the key to solving the housing problem. Association President Burri called for “these statements to be followed by concrete action and for the instruments of indirect housing promotion, in particular the Fonds de Roulement, as well as the work of the associations to be strengthened”. In particular, Wohnen Schweiz wants to defend itself against planned cuts to the federal government’s performance agreements with the umbrella organisations.

The wohnen malters cooperative was honoured with the Swiss Housing Foundation’s recognition award at the delegates’ meeting. The company, which is based in Malters LU, received the award, worth CHF 10,000, for the refurbishment of the Oberfeld property in Malters.

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