Färdknäppen is the first example of the cohousing model ‘second half of life’, i.e. + 40 without children at home (not housing for elderly). The purpose is to promote a sense of community and mutual support among residents (although all can get normal care from the social authorities when needed). Färdknäppen was built by the municipal housing company Familjebostäder at the initiative of a group of people who wanted to explore a new way of living together. The building is situated in the inner city area of Södermalm (on top of a former railway station) 10 minutes by subway from the City centre. The project consists of a multi-family housing block of 6 floors comprising 2 staircases and 43 apartments of 1, 2 or 3-room units from 37 to 75 sqm. Common spaces are: restaurant kitchen, dining room, library, all-purpose room, roof terrass with a relax room and a fire-place, exercise room, sauna, weaving and sewing room, guest rooms computer room and a garden. Five dinners are served a week, prepared by cooking teams composed of the residents. Being a member of the cohousing association and a cooking team is compulsory for residents. Many work groups exist in the building.

The complex is owned and managed by the housing company Familjebostäder, which is owned by the City of Stockholm (run by a board of politicians reflecting the election results). The company has an agreement with the resident association about a large extent of self-administration. This includes recruitment of new residents, use of common rooms, cleaning of staircases and common spaces, gardening etc. All residents are members of the cohousing association, which annually elects a Board. At house meetings majority decisions are taken.

The construction of Färdknäppen was financed entirely by the housing company. It received no state or municipal support.

The residents are members of a cohousing association which takes care of common spaces and facilities. The residents are divided into cooking teams in charge of cooking according to a revolving scheme. Communal dinners are enjoyed five days a week. Cooking is compulsory for members, unless exempted due to specific reasons. Residents are also members of working groups and carry out cultural activities together.

The housing project is sustainable in the sense that residents share meals, spaces and equipment. Many residents have smaller apartments than normal, which is a way to save resources. Environment-friendly lifestyles are promoted by collective decisions. The sense of community, promoted by common activities, can be regarded as an aspect of social sustainability.

A 2-room unit of 63 sqm costs Eur 730 a month to rent. This includes a share of the common spaces. All apartments have normal kitchens, bathrooms, central heating, refrigerators, freezers, triple-glazed windows and high-standard surfacing. Tenants do not have to pay any instalment, but are victims of the Swedish housing policy that denies subsidies to tenants while it allows house owners to deduct the interest of their bank loans from their taxes (i.e. the rich are subsidised by the poor!). When rent regulations start to be abolished from 1 January 2011 the rents are estimated to increase by 5 to 10 per cent annually due to the attractive location of Färdknäppen.