Gemeinnützigkeit, literally meaning “common utility,” is a concept meaning “nonprofit” or “public benefit”. Referring to the housing market In Switzerland, common utility serves as a framework for nonprofit cooperatives offering affordable, cost-based rents. Federal and municipal regulations ensure transparency, reinvestment into shared resources, and long-term affordability, while municipal support like land leases and loans reinforces collective stewardship. Changes to Gemeinnützigkeit are rare and require democratic approval, emphasizing the cooperative’s collective responsibility to the commons.
(Source: Kockelhorn, Schindler, Hirschberg. (2024). Cooperative Conditions: A primer on Architecture, Finance and Regulation in Zurich. gta Verlag. Zurich.)