Affordable and sustainable housing: European cities are making progress with Cities 4 Co-Housing
The project Cities 4 Co-Housing brings together several European cities to make housing more affordable and sustainable. Through this network, they are experimenting with new forms of collaborative housing inspired by the Brussels CALICO model.
Following an initial presentation of the network in January 2025, here is a report with regard to the progress made in recent months.
An inspiring model: CALICO
The Cities 4 Co-Housing network is based on the CALICO project in Brussels, which combines collaborative housing, collective land ownership and care. The partners have explored how to adapt these ideas to their local context, focusing on the legal, financial and technical aspects of housing.
Actions consolidated through transnational meetings
In May 2025, in Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal, the six cities co-constructed roughly fifty pilot actions to test the CALICO model, which were then brought together in a joint action bank. A few months later, in October 2025, in Fuenlabrada in Spain, the partners refined these actions during dedicated workshops and explored cross-cutting themes such as digital transition, green transition and gender equality.
Investment plans and local tweaks
Each city draws up an investment plan to bring these solutions to life over the long term, taking into account the local situation and the funding possibilities.
The main challenge remains adapting to the local context. Some cities already have tools that are similar to the CALICO model. Others need to innovate to ensure that the projects are financially accessible and viable. Sharing experience within the network helps to find flexible solutions that are adapted to the economic, social and regulatory situation of each city.
Monitoring the network’s evolution
The progress on the project is regularly published via various channels. These publications include transnational meetings, the results of pilot actions and intermediate reports.
For more information:
- Visit the URBACT website : Opens in new windowCities 4 Co-Housing | urbact.eu
- Read the first Quarterly Network journal : Opens in new windowQuarterly Network Journal #1 Cities 4 Co-housing.pdf
- Follow the project on LinkedIn : Opens in new windowCities4Co-Housing
