Find a cooperative apartment in Zurich today.
Most housing cooperatives in Zürich are open to everyone and ensure a good mix among their tenants. However, there are three special cases: cooperatives for students, for (large) families, and for older people. As the names suggest, these are only accessible to certain groups: those who are studying, those with a (large) family, and seniors.
If you're looking for such options, you've come to the right place! Because these offers are so specific, we don't include them in the GenossenSchaffen subscription in most cases. Instead, you'll find a list of relevant links here.
Cooperatives for students
Here, individual rooms, not entire apartments, are rented. Rents are very affordable, and of course it's great for students to live with people in the same stage of life. The following cooperatives in Zürich are specifically for students:
Rents out just over 1,500 rooms
SSWZ – Stiftung für Studentisches Wohnen
Owns about 2,000 rooms
WOKO – Studentische Wohngenossenschaft
Manages about 4,000 rooms
Cooperatives for large families
What constitutes a large family is defined differently by the two cooperatives in this category. In any case, it's only worth applying if you meet the respective criteria.
Rents its 69 apartments to families with at least two children
There is a list of interested parties you can be added to.
Rents its 541 apartments to families with at least three children (under 18) who have lived in the city of Zürich for at least 2 years or are citizens of the city of Zürich. There are also guidelines regarding taxable income and assets. Interested parties must add their names to a list.
Cooperatives for seniors with or without care needs
There are a considerable number of cooperatives in Zürich that rent apartments to older people. Some offerings are specifically aimed at people with care needs.
SAW – Stiftung Alterswohnungen der Stadt Zürich
Even rents age-appropriate apartments in the Old Town!
Does not yet own a building but aims to offer 60–90 housing units for people aged 60 and over.
High-quality, age-appropriate apartments in Bülach, Küsnacht and Zürich-Witikon
Stiftung Alterssiedlung Witikon
Rental of affordable senior apartments in Zürich-Witikon. Priority is given to people connected to the Witikon neighborhood.
3 residential care homes in Schwamendingen, tailored to various needs (e.g., dementia)
Stiftung Alterssiedlung Hadlaub
Founded by the Reformed parish of Zürich-Oberstrass. Age-appropriate 1-, 2- and 2.5-room apartments in a great location with views over the city.
Conclusion
Anyone who belongs to one of the special categories (student, large family or senior) can land an affordable apartment through these cooperatives. As with the 'regular' cooperatives, a bit of luck is involved. But it certainly doesn't hurt to put your name on the relevant waiting lists (where available). For your housing application, you can also make use of our Tips and tricks!
If you're not interested in these but are generally looking for cooperative apartments in Zürich, we recommend our GenossenSchaffen search subscription. For only 5 francs per month, you'll receive all listings for available cooperative apartments in the greater Zürich area as soon as they go online. Fast, simple, and tailored to your search criteria.
Genossenschaften Zürich
Studierende
Grossfamilien
Seniorinnen und Senioren
Alterswohnungen