Housing cooperatives in Zürich Affoltern: Here’s how to find an apartment here

Together with Oerlikon and Seebach, Affoltern forms District 11 of the city of Zürich. A particularly popular spot in this neighborhood is Katzensee in the northeast of the city. People of all ages enjoy this local recreation area with forest, swimming opportunities, and the nostalgic steam train for children and the young at heart. Due to intensive building activity over the last 100 years, the population in Affoltern has grown enormously: Since 1930, the number of residents has increased more than tenfold. In the past 10 years, over 1,000 apartments have been built here, 25 percent of which are owned by housing cooperatives. In this blog post, we introduce the cooperatives in Affoltern and explain how you can find an apartment there.

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Allgemeine Baugenossenschaft Zürich

This largest housing cooperative in Zürich naturally also owns properties in Affoltern. Particularly large is the Siedlung Ruggächern, which arose in the 2000s on one of the city of Zürich’s last reserves of land for development. The 282 apartments (1.5–5.5 rooms) in extraordinary cubes of exposed brick are surrounded by green space with various tree species, hills, footpaths, and stairs. In addition, you’ll find small squares and small “garden rooms” enclosed by hedges in the estate. Not far from Siedlung Ruggächern is a second ABZ development in Affoltern: Wolfswinkel. Located on the city’s edge, the project with 200 apartments (2.5–6 rooms) was among the most innovative residential buildings in Switzerland at the time of construction in terms of cost, sustainability, and quality of living. Thus, ABZ owns almost 500 apartments in Affoltern. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to get one of them. Despite the large number of estates, ABZ advertises comparatively very few apartments. We’re not entirely sure why that is. When something becomes available, a listing appears on the ABZ website and usually stays online for 24 hours. There is also a free newsletter for all available apartments. Unfortunately, the newsletter has no filters, meaning you receive all listings, including apartments that don’t fit your size needs. Of course, we also send the apartments in our Suchabo, with filters included, and often before the cooperative itself.

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ASIG

ASIG owns a large estate in Affoltern very close to Katzensee. The properties, equipped with plenty of solar panels, are considered very family-friendly thanks to playgrounds and an integrated kindergarten. And the recreational area right on the doorstep is, of course, a big plus! To get an apartment with ASIG, you have to check Homegate regularly. That’s where the apartments are listed on a specific page (here). Last year (2024) this large cooperative had 56 available apartments, 4 of which were in Affoltern. So it’s really worth keeping an eye on their Homegate page. In the Suchabo, we naturally send all available ASIG apartments in real time.

By the way: ASIG also has two exciting projects in the pipeline. On the one hand, the original estate will be renewed by 2037 (updates here), and on the other hand an extension of the estate in Winterthur Tägelmoos is planned. Unfortunately, this is being delayed due to objections. We’ll keep you up to date on our new-build projects page.

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Baugenossenschaft Frohheim

This cooperative’s estate in Affoltern is probably among the most colorful in Zürich. The distinctively shaped buildings in shades of red, green, and orange comprise 132 apartments with generous layouts (2.5–5.5 rooms) and balconies. You can also get an insight into life in this estate and at BGF in general in this resident interview on the cooperative’s website.

In total, BGF owns over 1,000 apartments, so from time to time something is rented to external applicants — in 2024 it was 32 apartments. Available apartments are posted on their website and partly also on real estate portals. We monitor both channels and send all listings in real time in our Suchabo. If you subscribe, you definitely won’t miss an apartment from BGF!

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Baugenossenschaft Gisa

This housing cooperative owns various properties in Affoltern, including 4- to 5-room row houses. This rather rare housing type in Zürich is particularly appealing to us, as it always comes with a little garden. It reminds us of our time in England, where we lived the same way. To be able to move into Baugenossenschaft Gisa, you need a lot of luck. The apartments are presumably advertised on Homegate, but unfortunately we’ve never found one there. So it’s probably only very, very rarely that anything is advertised publicly by Baugenossenschaft Gisa.

A bright spot, however, is BG Gisa’s new-build project in Affoltern. It is underway and will likely be completed in 2027. Here you can stay up to date. We will, of course, inform our subscribers about the rental launch (likely 2026).

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Baugenossenschaft Hagenbrünneli

This cooperative was founded in 1947 with the estates “Im Hagenbrünneli” in Affoltern. Later, more properties were added, also in Affoltern as well as in the neighborhoods of Oerlikon and Seebach. Altogether, the cooperative now owns six estates with 1- to 5.5-room apartments. During our visit, we were particularly impressed by the Siedlung Klee in Affoltern. It was completed in 2011, and it’s no surprise that it has received multiple awards. The estate comprises 173 apartments with 2.5 to 5.5 rooms and offers an interesting interior space for communal use as well as various private outdoor spaces.

Apartments at Baugenossenschaft Hagenbrünneli are very popular and demand is correspondingly high. Available apartments are listed on Homegate, where they are often online only briefly.

By the way: In February the new build Lerchenhalde60Plus of Baugenossenschaft Hagenbrünneli was leased. The project is aimed at people in the second half of life. We hope that many of our subscribers were able to find an apartment there.

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Baugenossenschaft Süd-Ost

This cooperative with a total of 728 apartments is well represented in Affoltern, as it owns seven estates with over 450 apartments at various locations in this neighborhood. On our last visit we couldn’t see all the estates for lack of time, but next time we definitely want to stop by Siedlung Schauenberg, because the photo on the website shows a kind of splash pool in the center of the outdoor area that looks really great! Baugenossenschaft Süd-Ost is one of the few cooperatives in Zürich that maintains a list of interested parties. You can download the form on the website and then send it filled out by post to the cooperative. You may then be contacted if something suitable becomes available. Unfortunately, the website does not say how often an apartment becomes vacant. One thing is certain: if you haven’t heard anything after a year, you can renew your entry with the renewal form. If it worked out for you, we would be very happy to hear from you, as we currently have no information about the application process.

Finally, some information that doesn’t concern Affoltern but may still be of interest: Baugenossenschaft Süd-Ost is currently realizing replacement new-builds at Überlandpark in Schwamendingen. This project promises modern, affordable housing for every stage of life and will likely be leased in 2027. You can subscribe to the free newsletter to avoid missing the rental launch. Of course, we’re monitoring the project and will also report on it in the Suchabo.

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Baugenossenschaft Waidmatt

This cooperative is extremely well represented in Affoltern, as it owns no fewer than 9 estates here with a total of 536 apartments! Some of the properties are quite old, for example Siedlung 3, which was occupied in 1948/49, or Siedlung 4, which was also occupied in 1949. Other estates of BG Waidmatt in Affoltern are brand new, such as Siedlung 15, which was occupied in 2017, or Siedlung 16 (Afaltra), of which only the first two phases are occupied. The third phase of this great estate is under construction, with move-in planned for 2026. If you’re interested in this project with 2–5.5-room apartments, you can add yourself here to the list of interested parties. You will then be informed about the rental launch. Of course, our subscribers will also receive emails about the project.

To get an existing apartment with BG Waidmatt, you have to keep an eye on Homegate; however, something is only rarely advertised. So your best chances in the near future are definitely with Siedlung Afaltra.

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Baugenossenschaft Zentralstrasse

This cooperative manages in Affoltern the Siedlung Schwandenholz with 119 apartments (1–6.5-room apartments). Large family apartments with 6.5 rooms are rare in Zürich, which makes this estate particularly interesting for families with many children. The playground that belongs to the estate also makes it very attractive for families.

Securing an apartment with BG Zentralstrasse takes some persistence. Available apartments are listed on the website and also on Homegate, but this happens rather rarely: In 2024 we found 6 available apartments from this cooperative. Of course, we will continue to monitor BG Zentralstrasse and immediately send any available apartments to our subscribers!

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Gemeinnützige Bau- und Mietergenossenschaft Zürich

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This over 100-year-old cooperative with over 1,000 apartments in Zürich is also present in Affoltern, namely with the Siedlung Klee, which also includes many apartments of Baugenossenschaft Hagenbrünneli (image: see Baugenossenschaft Hagenbrünneli). Interestingly, this info isn’t easy to find, but it must be a joint estate, since it is listed on both cooperatives’ websites.

GBMZ actually maintains a list of interested parties, but at the moment it is unfortunately closed. As soon as this changes, we will of course inform our subscribers. In fact, it is also possible that the cooperative will change its rental practice. We are watching the situation with interest.

What we found very positive about GBMZ is that they transparently publish how many apartments in the past year were rented to new cooperative members. In 2023 there were 47 tenant changes, of which 24 apartments went to new cooperative members. In our experience, we actually expect around a 5% turnover, which fits quite well here.

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Genossenschaft Baufreunde

In Affoltern this cooperative owns six estates. In total you’ll find about 180 apartments and just under 50 row houses there. We find the latter particularly interesting, as we find this housing type very appealing. With 4.5 rooms and 67 m2, however, the houses are more suitable for small families.

Genossenschaft Baufreunde lists available properties on its website and on Homegate. Indeed, something becomes available from time to time, but mainly in Arbon and not in Zürich. Of course, we monitor Genossenschaft Baufreunde closely and send all listings for the canton of Zürich in our Suchabo.

Habitat8000

Habitat8000 is not a cooperative, but a non-profit public limited company founded by 20 cooperatives together with the association Wohnbaugenossenschaften Schweiz and the city of Zürich. The name Habitat8000 alludes to the postal codes in the Zürich area, which start at 8000 and go up. This institution offers affordable housing in over 1,300 apartments in the Zürich region. In Affoltern, Habitat8000 owns the large Siedlung Bergacker with 233 apartments (1–4 rooms) in 39 properties. The renewal of this aging estate is planned and will likely start around 2026. We are monitoring this and other projects (e.g., in Schwamendingen and Effretikon) very closely, of course.

You can find available properties from Habitat8000 here on Homegate. Something becomes available from time to time; in 2024 there were 16 apartments, 2 of them in Affoltern. We sent all these listings in the Suchabo, of course.

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Milchbuck Baugenossenschaft

Originally founded by tradespeople, this cooperative has grown steadily since 1946 and today owns over 1,000 apartments. In Affoltern it is present at Schwandenholzstrasse 274. Unfortunately, the website does not provide information about the number and size of the apartments. One thing is certain: with Milchbuck Baugenossenschaft, unfortunately not much becomes available. In 2024 it was 11 apartments. That’s less than we would expect. One thing is certain: since the apartments are listed on the cooperative’s website, we always know immediately and send the links to our subscribers. By the way: In Zürich Schwamendingen, Milchbuck Baugenossenschaft is currently realizing the Herzogenmühle project. It will be leased on 4 June. Don’t miss it! In addition, the 2nd phase of the Lettenmatt estate in Birmensdorf is under construction. The leasing is planned for summer/fall 2026. Already in the first phase, some of our subscribers were able to find an apartment. We’re sure the success will be repeated in the second phase!

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Siedlungsgenossenschaft Eigengrund

This large cooperative with over 1,200 apartments in 20 estates in Zürich owns in Affoltern the brand-new Siedlung Obsthalden with no fewer than 140 apartments (1.5–5.5 rooms). There’s even a café within the estate — sounds great, right? Since the estate was only recently occupied, we don’t expect anything to become available very soon. However, life circumstances always make people move. So one can hope. One thing is certain: to get an apartment with SG Eigengrund, you need to visit Homegate, as that’s where they are listed. We also send the apartments in our Suchabo, but unfortunately something becomes available rather rarely. In 2024 we sent only 9 SG Eigengrund apartments. With over 1,200 apartments, this is very disappointing, as we would expect a significantly higher turnover (deaths, moves, etc.). Perhaps in this cooperative children also become members and later receive an apartment? We don’t know, but it would explain the low numbers.

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Stiftung Einfach Wohnen

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Strictly speaking, this is not a cooperative, but since Stiftung Einfach Wohnen offers affordable housing throughout the city of Zürich, we also want to list it here. In Affoltern, at Riedenhaldenstrasse 72–76, there is a property of this foundation with 24 apartments. With Stiftung Einfach Wohnen, there are listings very regularly. They are published on the website, where you can also apply. We naturally monitor the leasing page constantly and send all available apartments in the Suchabo in real time. We also keep an eye on the foundation’s new-build projects. Not too long ago, the Guggach project in the Unterstrass neighborhood in District 6 was occupied, and some of our subscribers now live there! Also in the Unterstrass neighborhood, the project between Rotbuch- and Seminarstrasse is now underway, where Stiftung Einfach Wohnen will realize affordable apartments on a municipal site. The location of the planned apartments is great — we’re monitoring progress and will inform our subscribers as soon as leasing is announced.

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PWG

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This is a foundation rather than a cooperative, but we’re including it here because it offers affordable apartments in the city of Zürich. PWG owns over 180 properties with more than 2,200 apartments in the city of Zürich. It’s no surprise that they also rent apartments in Affoltern. You can view PWG’s entire portfolio here. PWG posts its apartments on its website, where they usually remain online for a few days. You can then apply directly with the application form. With PWG there are very often available apartments — in our latest ranking (Annual Review 2024), the foundation came first among institutions when it comes to the number of listings. There’s almost a free apartment every other day! We of course send all PWG apartments in our Suchabo.

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Wogeno

Wogeno is a cooperative of self-managed houses with properties in the city and canton of Zürich. What’s special about this cooperative is that tasks around the management of the houses are delegated directly to the house communities. Wogeno is present almost everywhere in Zürich and thus you will also find properties of this cooperative in Affoltern, for example on Riedhaldenstrasse. To rent an apartment with Wogeno, you must first become a member. That costs 3,000 francs, which unfortunately do not earn interest. After 3 months you are then basically eligible to rent an apartment. Available apartments are advertised via newsletter to all members. According to the website, people who have been members longer have better chances; however, we learned from Wogeno that it usually takes years before you might even make a preliminary shortlist. So if you’re ready to deposit 3,000 francs with WOGENO, you can give it a try. Of course, you can also cancel the membership and get the money back. If the duration is less than 2 years, they may charge a fee.

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Conclusion: There are many cooperatives in Affoltern

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There are quite a lot of cooperative apartments in Affoltern. Numerous cooperatives own properties here, including charming row houses. There are also several construction projects planned. Your chances of finding a cooperative apartment in this neighborhood aren’t bad at all. But you do have to monitor many websites and keep checking Homegate constantly. If that’s too much for you, we recommend our Suchabo. With it, you get all listings for cooperative apartments across Zürich (and, for those who want, across the entire canton) directly by email. In addition, we send information on the rental launch for all cooperatives’ new-build projects. This way, you won’t miss any available cooperative apartment and can apply right away!

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