We were also interested in the legal model of the Mietshäuser Syndikat, which was founded in 1989 in Freiburg, Germany. Like La Borda in Spain, the aim of the Syndicate is to ensure that housing is always available to lower earners and does not become marketable.

Network

Mietshäuser Syndikat operates on a network basis and has already completed 167 house projects! It accepts new, self-organised house projects as well as project initiatives that just want to buy a building. These can be abandoned buildings or buildings to be demolished or buildings that the owner wants to sell. The aim of the network is to provide new projects with know-how, including support in possible political disputes, and to help them financially with the funds raised in the solidarity fund.

Each project is autonomous and self-organised. The building is owned by a limited liability company whose shares belong to the housing association managing the building and the Mietshäuser Syndikat. The Syndicate has the right to vote on certain matters, most notably the sale of the house, so as to prevent the possible ‘privatisation’ of the building and changes to the articles of association of the company. On all other issues (credit, who moves in, renovations, rent levels, etc.) the housing association has the exclusive right to vote.

And what does their motto “better to have a thousand friends on your back than breathing down your neck” mean?

It refers to the financing model. Individuals or groups who sympathise with the Syndicate’s ideals lend money directly to specific projects organised as limited liability companies. The lenders decide on the interest rate, which is often low or waived altogether. Such loans do not always make it possible to carry out the project without a bank loan, but they do provide funds for an own contribution to a credit, for example.

Do you think we could also finance our projects with direct loans or create a similar network in Poland?