[ExxKA]

This is a big thing in Denmark and has been for several generations.

https://da.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andelsboligforening

The issue with them is that the loans to build the properties are socialised, so if the other members can not pay the debt, the entire loan is the responsibility of those members who can.

Also, the incentives of a cheaper than market rate flat, means that corruption and nepotism is rampant in those buildings.

It is not pretty in practice.

[cnnlives71]

> Also, the incentives of a cheaper than market rate flat, means that corruption and nepotism is rampant in those buildings.

But if it were a flat/apartment, the owner/manager may not actually take good care of the apartment. Which is worse?

[ExxKA]

You mean if people living there were renting?

This is purely anecdotal, but I find that the buildings with professional management and purely renting tenants, look better and seem more well kept, compared to the smaller "Andelsforeninger" where its a volunteer management team trying to run it.

[awongh]

> Also, the incentives of a cheaper than market rate flat, means that corruption and nepotism is rampant in those buildings.

Maybe there's some middle ground between socialized housing that incentivizes people to take advantage of overly cheap housing, and a 100% capitalist USA style housing market where lots of people are 1 missed paycheck away from being homeless.

[FirmwareBurner]

>Maybe there's some middle ground

Maybe there is, but human history proves we can't easily reach a equilibrium where everyone has it equally good, due to human greed, envy, cronyism and corruption, making any kind of equality just a fairytale utopia.

So we just bounce between extremes because as always, few people strive have it good and the rest get screwed over in order to pay for the privileges of the select few. There will always be haves and have-nots, no matter how many thumbs the government puts on the scales to try to balance things out for everyone which only breaks things for the worst as they distort economic reality.

Meanwhile from the numbers I gathered, despite the "evil capitalism", statistically by most metrics, Americans enjoy the highest purchasing power for home ownership in the developed western world by a large margin. So Americans love to complain too much, but the truth is by the numbers, most of the world has it much worse than they do.

  1. Demographia International Housing Affordability | Lower median multiple = higher affordability (2025 Edition)
  Singapore  4.2
  United States  4.8
  Ireland  5.1
  Canada  5.4
  United Kingdom  5.6
  New Zealand  7.7
  Australia  9.7

  2. World Population Review: Housing Affordability Index | Higher index = higher purchasing power (2024 Data)
  United States  3.3
  Denmark  2.1
  Belgium  2.1
  Ireland  1.8
  Luxembourg  1.8
  Norway  1.7
  Sweden  1.7
  Finland  1.7
  Spain  1.7
  Netherlands  1.7
  Germany  1.5
  Switzerland  1.5

  3. Numbeo Property Prices Index | Lower ratio = higher affordability (2025 Mid-Year)
  United States  3.44
  Germany  8.5
  United Kingdom  8.71
  Italy  9.04
  Canada  9.45
  France  9.89
  Japan  11.34