Empowering communities: the role of housing cooperatives in alleviating urban housing crisis

Background The urban housing crisis in South Africa’s metropolitan inner cities has escalated into a significant socio-economic and public health concern. This complex issue, driven by a combination of factors, calls for innovative and inclusive solutions. Housing cooperatives offer a promising approach to addressing this challenge. Therefore, it is essential to explore the potential of housing cooperatives as a viable, community-centered alternative for housing provision. Objective The primary aim of this paper is to examine the transformative potential of housing cooperatives in addressing the urban housing crisis. Additionally, it seeks to explore how housing cooperatives can enhance socio-economic inclusivity and empower communities in urban environments. Methods Two primary electronic databases, Sabinet and Science Direct, were searched for relevant articles using a combination of key terms related to cooperatives (e.g., housing cooperative, policy, history, developing world, sustainability, community empowerment, social capital, and South Africa). Google Scholar was also utilized to supplement the database searches, and bibliographies of selected articles were reviewed for additional relevant sources. Data from the identified articles were abstracted, analyzed, and used to explore the critical role of cooperatives as a sustainable solution for addressing the housing crisis and promoting social cohesion in South Africa’s metropolitan areas. Results A total of 211 records were identified, with 85 ultimately included in the review. The literature indicates that housing cooperatives have the potential to drive social change, foster community resilience, and support equitable urban development. They can be utilized not only to expand access to affordable housing but also to promote social cohesion, community empowerment, and socio-economic development in South Africa. When implemented sustainably, housing cooperatives can help alleviate housing shortages while strengthening community empowerment and social cohesion. Conclusion Policymakers and those in positions of power to allocate resources in urban housing development should consider housing cooperatives as a viable solution to the challenges faced by South African metropolitan cities.