Bewohnergemeinschaft

Bewohnergemeinschaft is a form of communal living in which residents jointly shape their living environment. In a typical Bewohnergemeinschaft, people not only rent or own individual living units but also share common spaces and responsibilities, such as kitchens, gardens, and maintenance tasks. The core idea is collective decision-making and mutual support, with governance often organized through regular assemblies, committees, or cooperatively elected representatives.

Legal forms vary: some are organized as housing cooperatives (Wohnungsgenossenschaften) or associations (Vereine) that own or manage the property; others are self-managed projects (Wohnprojekte) with informal agreements. Membership may require participation in financial contributions, in-kind work, or governance duties, but standards differ per project.

Common activities include meal-sharing, childcare cooperatives, shared transportation, tool libraries, and jointly planned energy or sustainability measures. These arrangements may aim for affordable housing, social integration, and a sense of community, especially for families, students, seniors, or migrants.

Benefits include social support, resource efficiency, and resilience; drawbacks can be governance complexity, slower decision-making, conflicts over expectations, and funding challenges.

In Germany, the concept is linked to the broader housing and community movements and can be found within urban renewal and social housing programs.