Cooperative housing grows in Czech Republic and Slovakia

Interest in cooperative housing is growing in Central Europe as a solution to housing shortages and high costs. In Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, the city has launched a pilot project in Kukleny to transform a former tannery brownfield into approximately 250 cooperative apartments. Officials state this model aims to provide housing at prices up to 25 percent below market rates. Additionally, a project in Pouchovská street by Coop Development Hradec Králové is expected to deliver 126 units by early 2029.

In Slovakia, cooperative housing is gaining popularity because residents do not necessarily need to meet mortgage requirements. Martin Chren, Vice President of the Chamber of Cities of the Association of Towns and Municipalities of Slovakia, noted that residents hold a share in the cooperative, providing security for their investment. Chren also discussed the need for administrative reforms to objectify the building permit process and suggested a return to a system of central municipalities to improve public administration efficiency.