The demand for low-cost housing is very high. Joint building ventures are often able to realise building projects more cost-efficiently than buying a freehold flat or a terraced house from a builder. Therefore, joint building ventures may be an alternative for all those living in a city and willing to acquire housing within a community  with others but who cannot afford flats offered on the open market.

The demand for low-cost housing is very high. Joint building ventures are often able to realise their building projects more cost-efficiently than builders. Therefore, joint building ventures may be an alternative for all those living in a city and willing to acquire housing within a community  with others but who cannot afford flats offered on the open market.

Joint building ventures are legal federations of persons willing to build which want to create owner-occupied housing and to participate actively in planning and building. The present guideline of the City of Hamburg deals with the construction of owner-occupied freehold flats in the form of multi-storey buildings or terraced houses in the context of joint building ventures.

Joint building ventures are formed among friends, colleagues, via contacts in clubs etc. In Hamburg, support is provided by numerous associations giving advice to and organising residential groups. They provide a forum for the exchange of expieriences and provide indications where projects have already been realised. Often an initiative is taken by a core group looking for further persons interested. During an initial meeting, common interests are discussed and ideas are developed how to improve housing and what are inidividual wishes. Often the size of a joint building venture is fixed as well. Interested persons may apply for a property within a starting group. The architect will then be able to check whether the interests of the starting group can be realised on the property. After the preliminary planning, the starting group can be enlarged.

Joint building ventures contribute to urban quality. Due to their cost-efficient way of building, e.g. families as well, who otherwise would have moved away from cities, may afford home ownership in cities. In finishing some of these buildings, the interest and the demand in them have risen. Home ownership furthermore has a long-term character: housing costs become caculable which is also an advantage for old-age provisions.

Joint building ventures may be an alternative for all those living in a city and willing to acquire housing within a community  with others but who cannot afford flats offered on the open market.

The development of a building project in the framework of a joint building venture is often difficult and requires the support of professionals such as architects and building consultants.

Agentur für Baugemeinschaften der Behörde für Stadtentwicklung und Umwelt, tel. +49 (0)40 428 40 2333

//

case

Urban Policy > Housing > Housing policy

Housing need, Privately owned housing