We are a diverse group of adults and children from different backgrounds who are working together to realize a solidarity-based housing project. In the newly developing Elbinselquartier neighborhood in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg, we are planning to build a house with 20-25 apartments as a cooperative. We place great value on diversity and solidarity: our goal is to create a home where every person, regardless of age, origin, gender, income, or other characteristics, can find a permanent place. Our aim is for the majority of the people living in the building to be those who have experienced discrimination.
Hello, together we want to build a house. In solidarity, with sensitivity to discrimination, and for everyone!
This is us
Our house!
Our plan is to build a self-managed house for around 65 people. To ensure affordable rents in the long term, we are focusing on cost-effective construction and living in accordance with ecological standards. To keep rents low, we plan to establish a cooperative. This will permanently remove the house from the speculative housing market and ensure lifelong housing security for all residents. The house belongs to the people who live in it!
The planned housing project will not only provide space for living, but also space for community activities of the neighborhood and opportunities for expansion for local businesses. In this way, we also want to help protect businesses already established in Wilhelmsburg from possible displacement. We are therefore currently cooperating with the established bicycle shop Vélo54 on Veringstraße. We would be delighted to collaborate with others (e.g., a kiosk)! Businesses like these are ideal meeting places for the entire neighborhood.
© Hartfil - Steinbrinck
© Hartfil - Steinbrinck
© Hartfil - Steinbrinck
A few facts
- Approximately 20-25 barrier-free apartments with balconies
- At least 20% of the apartments will go to people in urgent need of housing
- Located on the Jaffe-Davids Canal in the Elbinselquartier district of Hamburg Wilhelmsburg
- Energy efficient according to modern standards
- Living space: approx. 1581m²
- Commercial space: Approx. 1182m²
- Construction support: Stattbau Hamburg
- Architectural office: Hartfil - Steinbrinck
- Shared roof terrace and common room
- Rental costs are based on income. Those who earn more pay more, those who earn less pay less!
- Current commercial use of the building: Vélo 54 (bicycle shop from Wilhelmsburg). Additional space is still available.
- Total costs: approx. €14 million, of which approx. €1.5 million must be raised by the group itself. The remaining amount will be provided through promotional loans and repaid with the rent.
© Hartfil - Steinbrinck
Financing
Total costs
Our project costs a great deal of money. The total cost of the project is approximately €14 million. Since we are naturally unable to raise this amount of money ourselves, the city is providing funding in the form of loans. These loans cover 90% of the total amount. The project will repay this over a very long period of time through the rent it collects. The rent for the individual apartments is calculated based on the total cost of the project.
Equity
The remaining 10% (€1.4 - 1.5 million) must be raised by the group itself. The sum is not due all at once, but will have to be paid in uneven installments over the next 5 years. Money that we put into the project as equity is not simply gone, but is converted into cooperative shares. When someone moves out of the building, that person gets their money back.
Cross-financing
The amount of personal funds required depends on the size of the apartment. However, not everyone has the necessary income or future assets to raise this sum. We are committed to providing housing for people with low incomes, which is why we rely on cross-financing. This can be done through direct loans from acquaintances, friends, and family who temporarily lend money to the project and/or through members with high incomes or assets who voluntarily contribute more than others.
KFW loan 134
In order to raise the equity capital, members of our building group also have the option of taking out a very favorable loan from KfW - the so-called home ownership program for cooperative shares (KfW loan 134).
Living with us
Would you like to become part of a supportive community that embraces diversity and mutual support? With us, you can actively participate and get involved, regardless of your income. We offer space for communal living where everyone is welcome, but also where everyone can simply close the door. Our solidarity-based rental model enables people with different financial means to live together and support each other.
If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, please contact us at info at wisl-hh.de!
Support us!
With a direct loan, you support our housing project and help to enable socially acceptable and permanently affordable rents. Your investment earns secure interest and helps people without equity in particular to become part of our community. Direct loans are an essential form of financing for us, enabling us to realize the project independently of large banks and speculative investors.
If you would like to learn more about how direct loans work, the terms and conditions, or other ways to support us, please contact us at info at wisl-hh.de. We appreciate your interest and support!
Get in touch!
Would you like to become part of our housing project or support us? Do you have any questions or would you like to get in touch with us? Then simply send us an email at info at wisl-hh.de.