Cooperative Housing under Grant-of-Use in Barcelona: A Model for the Future of the Right to Housing?

Between 2015 and 2023, under the leadership of housing rights activist Ada Colau, Barcelona prioritized access to adequate housing as a fundamental right amidst a severe housing crisis. Colau's administration implemented the 2016-2025 Barcelona Right to Housing Plan, a mission-oriented initiative addressing gentrification, housing exclusion, and escalating rental prices. The plan integrated diverse strategies, including public housing development, urban regeneration, and support for cooperative housing under grant-of-use. This paper examines Barcelona’s housing policies, focusing on the outcomes of cooperative housing as a tool to combat the affordable housing shortage and promote social justice