Housing cooperatives can emerge as a promising solution to the problem of access to housing, especially for young people who are in a more vulnerable economic situation. According to a report by the Bank of Spain, a worrying decrease in the ability to accumulate wealth among young people has been revealed, along with a reduction in their ability to save and a growing economic vulnerability.

The accumulated wealth of households with heads of household under the age of 35 has fallen significantly since the financial crisis, according to the report, with the average estimated to be around €20,000 in 2022, compared to €100,000 in 2008 This trend has been exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic, with a 26% drop in youth wealth between 2020 and 2022.

While those over 55 have experienced a slight increase in their wealth during this same period, the majority of young Spaniards continue to live with their parents due to the difficulties in accessing housing. This is reflected in the reduction in the ownership rate among young households, which has fallen dramatically since 2011.

Housing co-ops can provide a viable alternative for young people struggling to buy or rent a home alone, as they offer the ability to share costs and resources. This can help mitigate the effects of declining wealth and facilitate access to housing at a time when home ownership is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many young people.

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