Kollektivhus NU (Cohousing Now) is a politically and religiously independent Swedish association working to promote collaborative housing and other innovative ways of living. The association supports existing cohousing associations as well as groups intending to build new communities. Originally formed in 1981, it has recently been revitalised with the purpose to inform the public about cohousing as an alternative, and to influence authorities to facilitate the creation and operation of such projects, which currently are concentrated in the main urban centres. Kollektivhus NU works to influence the public debate to focus more on the need for community, neighbourly cooperation and sustainable lifestyles in housing and planning policies in Sweden.

Kollektivhus NU is a voluntary organisation without employed staff, but nevertheless it provides sevices in the form of an informative website in Swedish, English and German; an electronic newsletter published four times a year; shorter electronic information letters sent out regularly to the 700 subscribers; direct support to groups who want to start new cohousing projects and advice to existing cohousing development which may experience difficulties. The association also works to establish regulatory frameworks that makes it easier to register for an apartment in cohousing, for self-determination within the public rental sector, and make the advantages of living in cohousing better known among the public in general. For the same purpose the association makes exhibitions, arranges conferences and seminars, and produces books and brochures for distribution to housing companies, politicians and the public in general. Kollektivhus NU also tries to influence research about the relationship between social environment and health, the economic advantages of cohousing and the great potential to promote sustainable development through collective actions.

General situation:

Kollektivhus NU covers the whole of Sweden, but most of the cohousing units are located to Stockholm and other larger centres. In Stockholm the association tries to promote existing groups working for cohousing, to influence the three main public housing companies to initiate more cohousing projects, to convince the housing allocation bureau of the city of Stockholm to register interest in cohousing in its official register, and to help existing cohousing units to have more residents participate in activities such as common dinners.

Strategy:

Kollektivhus NU does not work with one single model, but the association tries to promote more of self-determination within the public rental housing sector, to spread more information about cohousing, and to point out the potential for sustainability by saving resources through sharing common facilities, equipment, common meals etc. Good design solutions are also made availble.