Australia is in a housing crisis. We are under-investing in public housing and the private market only gets less and less affordable. Housing co-ops are the answer!

Co-ops are collaborative housing where you can “rent like you own”. They are not-fot-profits governed collectively by their residents. They sit between public housing and the private market, forming a “collaborative housing” sector that benefits the cities where they are popular.

In this talk, we’ll explain the co-op model, why it’s good for Australia, what we can learn from overseas examples, and how we can start building co-ops here in Sydney.

Some of the topics we’ll cover:

• How is a limited-equity housing co-op different from renting? How is it different from owning property?
• What makes this different from Australia’s existing social housing co-ops?
• How do housing co-ops provide affordable housing, and how do they help the whole housing system work better?
• Where do co-ops fit in with other responses to the housing crisis like public housing and increasing supply?
• What is Sydney Cohousing doing to make co-op housing happen right here in the city?

There will be time for Q&A after the talk, so bring your questions! We will provide snacks and time to chat over tea or coffee.

Image: residents meeting at Murundaka Co-Housing Co-operative.