Housing

Baugruppen ('building groups') are collective self-build projects where future residents form a group, hire architects directly, and develop their own building—cutting out developer profit margins. The model saves 15-25% on costs while creating customised, community-oriented housing. Berlin has over 500 Baugruppen projects. It's housing development decoupled from developer extraction through collective action.

• Residents develop together
• Cut out developer profit
• 15-25% cost savings

Champlain Housing Trust is the largest community land trust in the United States—3,000+ units of permanently affordable housing in Vermont. Founded in 1984 with support from then-Mayor Bernie Sanders, it uses resale restrictions to ensure affordability persists across generations. When owners sell, they share appreciation with the trust rather than capturing full market gains. The model proves that perpetual affordability is achievable at scale.

• Largest US community land trust
• 3,000+ permanently affordable units
• 40 years of operation

Community Land Trusts separate land ownership from building ownership. The CLT owns the land permanently; residents own or rent the buildings at affordable prices. When selling, resale formulas capture appreciation for the community, not individuals. The model—pioneered in civil rights-era Georgia—now includes 280+ CLTs in the US and growing UK movement. It's housing decoupled from speculation through ownership architecture.

• Land owned by community trust
• Buildings owned by residents
• Resale formulas limit speculation

Danish cohousing (bofællesskab) pioneered a model now replicated worldwide: private homes clustered around shared facilities—common kitchens, workshops, gardens, guest rooms. Residents own their units but share meals several times weekly and collectively manage the community. The model reduces isolation, enables resource sharing, and creates support networks across generations. It's housing designed for human connection, not just shelter.

• Private homes + shared facilities
• Common meals several times weekly
• Multi-generational communities

Habitat for Humanity's model is elegantly simple: families contribute 'sweat equity' (labour hours) alongside volunteers to build their own homes, then purchase at zero-interest mortgages. The repayments fund the next home—a revolving fund that has built over 800,000 homes worldwide. Recipients aren't charity cases; they're partners investing their labour. It's housing finance redesigned around human dignity and participation.

• 800,000+ homes built
• Sweat equity contribution
• Zero-interest mortgages

Hong Kong's public housing system houses 45% of the population—one of the highest rates globally. Originated after a 1953 fire left 53,000 homeless, the Housing Authority has built massive estates that define Hong Kong's skyline. However, waiting lists now exceed 5 years, and governance concerns have emerged. The case demonstrates both the potential of public housing at scale and the challenges when demand outstrips supply and governance becomes politicized.

• 45% of population in public housing
• 800,000+ rental units
• 70 years of operation

Singapore's Housing Development Board achieved what most countries consider impossible: 80% of the population lives in public housing, but most own their flats on 99-year leases. The Central Provident Fund (mandatory savings) provides down payments. Ethnic integration quotas prevent segregation. The result: home ownership without speculation, ethnic harmony without segregation, and housing security without wealth inequality. It's social engineering through housing architecture.

• 80% of population housed
• 99-year lease ownership
• CPF for down payments

Vienna's social housing isn't 'public housing' in the stigmatised sense—it's simply housing. 60% of Vienna residents live in subsidised housing, including middle-class professionals. The city never sold off its stock (unlike the UK), creating inter-generational stability. Buildings are designed by architects, integrated into neighbourhoods, and maintained to high standards. Vienna proves that government can be an excellent landlord when it commits for the long term.

• 60% of city in social housing
• Middle-class professionals included
• Never sold off stock