Spółdzielnia Mieszkaniowa (Housing Cooperative)

A Spółdzielnia Mieszkaniowa, or housing cooperative, is an organization where members collectively own and manage residential properties. Members pay for shares in the cooperative, which gives them the right to occupy an apartment and participate in decision-making. This model promotes affordability and community involvement, as profits are reinvested into the property rather than distributed as dividends. Housing cooperatives often help ensure stable housing costs and can represent a more democratic approach to living arrangements, allowing residents to have a say in how their community is run and maintained.