Associative housing cooperative

What Associative housing cooperative does

Codha (Coopérative d'Habitation Associative) is a Swiss non-profit housing cooperative founded in 1994 and headquartered in Geneva, with a secondary office in Lausanne. It develops and manages affordable cooperative housing for its membership under Swiss cooperative law, operating across the Geneva and Vaud cantons. As of December 31, 2025, Codha managed 20-21 buildings containing 870-1,151 dwellings, housed 8,126 individual members across 6,075 households, and had 11-14 projects under development representing 500-796 additional dwellings. Total balance sheet stood at CHF 581.5 million.

Codha's core offering is non-profit rental housing with participatory governance: members pay a one-time CHF 100 social share and annual dues of CHF 140-320 (depending on household size) to gain access to below-market rental units allocated by seniority. Buildings are constructed to high environmental performance standards (THPE Très Haute Performance Énergétique and Minergie) and integrate Ecoquartier (eco-district) planning with shared common spaces. The cooperative also operates a participative deposit scheme (Dépôt participatif et coopératif) launched in 2015, which had reached over CHF 5 million by end-2024 and was opened to non-members to broaden its project-financing base.

Revenue is generated primarily through rental income (CHF 18.48 million disclosed for the year ending December 31, 2025), supplemented by membership fees, parking rentals (CHF 160-180/month), and commercial space leases (CHF 250/m²/year). Land is secured through long-term superficie-rights partnerships with five municipalities — Geneva, Lausanne, Chêne-Bougeries, Nyon, and Meyrin — which provide cost-neutral land access while Codha finances and constructs the housing. The cooperative operates a community-led go-to-market model: prospective residents first join as members, then apply for available housing by seniority, with new-project invitations distributed by email to the existing membership base.

Name

Associative housing cooperative

Legal name

Codha

Website

https://codha.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Codha is a Swiss non-profit housing cooperative founded in 1994 that develops and manages affordable, ecologically-built rental housing for its 8,000+ members across Geneva and Vaud cantons, using participatory governance, municipal land partnerships, and member-financed deposits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cooperative Housing Services

NAICS

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111), New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236116)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513)

akta.pro primary industry

Cooperative (Co-op) Housing Association Management (BPAJAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD), Multifamily Apartment Property Management (BPAJAFAA)

Keywords

• Cooperative housing
• Affordable housing
• Non-profit housing
• Participatory development
• Eco-district housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Non-Profit Housing Rentals: Codha generates primary revenue through rental income from its housing stock. Rents are set at non-profit levels, significantly below market rates, reflecting the cooperative's social mission. Total rental income reached 18,481,559 CHF as of December 31, 2025.
2. Participatory Deposit (Dépôt participatif): Codha offers a participatory savings deposit scheme launched in 2015, allowing members and non-members to contribute to project financing at interest rates. By end 2024, deposits exceeded CHF 5 million. This autofinancing helps pre-finance projects and limits the impact of interest rate increases, enabling controlled rents.
3. Membership Fees and Social Shares: Revenue from initial social share purchases (CHF 100 per person) and annual membership fees (CHF 140-320 depending on household size) that contribute to cooperative operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Codha is a non-profit housing cooperative founded in 1994 in Geneva that develops, owns, and manages affordable rental housing for its members. It operates 21 buildings comprising 1,151 cooperative housing units, runs 11 construction projects producing more than 500 new units, and offers the Dépôt participatif, an ethical savings/investment program that helps pre-finance construction. Housing is allocated to members based on seniority, with residents participating in building management and governance.

Product overview

Codha operates as a non-profit housing cooperative (founded 1994) offering a unified portfolio of cooperative housing services centered on three core offerings: (1) management of existing housing stock (21 buildings, 1,151 units), (2) development of new construction projects (11 projects, 500+ units), and (3) the Dépôt participatif cooperative investment program. The cooperative integrates participatory housing principles, ecological standards (Minergie, THPE), and community living into its service model. Properties span Geneva and Vaud cantons, including eco-district projects like Plaines-du-Loup and Ecoquartier Jonction with shared common spaces and resident-managed buildings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cooperative Housing Membership and Rental Membership-based affordable non-profit rental housing across 21 buildings and 1,151 dwellings in Geneva and Vaud cantons, allocated to members in good standing by seniority order with participatory building governance by residents.
• Dépôt participatif et coopératif (Participatory Deposit) Ethical cooperative savings and investment program opened to both members and non-members since 2015, offering interest-bearing deposits that pre-finance housing construction. By end of 2024 the deposit pool exceeded CHF 5 million.
• Underground Parking Rental Underground parking and motorcycle parking spaces available to the general public across multiple Codha buildings in Meyrin (CHF 160/month), Nyon (CHF 160/month), Chêne-Bougeries (CHF 180/month), and Grand-Saconnex (motorcycle CHF 30/month).
• Commercial Space Leasing Commercial arcades and storage spaces at Codha buildings (e.g., approximately 148 m² at Plaines-du-Loup Lausanne) available to businesses at CHF 250/m²/year under 5-year renewable commercial leases.

Quantifiable outcome

• Housing allocated purely by membership seniority, ensuring fairness and transparency
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Ville de GenèvecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor municipal partner providing land through superficie rights for cooperative housing development. Geneva commune has partnered with Codha on multiple projects including Ecoquartier Jonction and other developments. Codha implements the commune's housing objectives while bearing financing responsibility.
• Ville de LausannecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLausanne commune partnered with Codha for ecoquartier development including Plaines-du-Loup project. Commune provides land while Codha handles construction and management of affordable housing.
• Ville de Chêne-BougeriesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for housing development including Rigaud project. Commune provides land under superficie arrangements while Codha develops and manages housing.
• Ville de NyonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner commune for ecoquartier development including Stand project. Nyon provides land while Codha finances and manages construction.
• Ville de MeyrinmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner including Les Vergers development. Meyrin provides land through superficie arrangements for affordable housing development.
• Groupement des Coopératives d'Habitation Genevoises (GCHG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCodha actively collaborates with GCHG, the umbrella organization for Geneva housing cooperatives. GCHG organizes collective initiatives including open days (Journées portes ouvertes) where Codha participates.
• APRÈS-GE (Réseau genevois de l'économie sociale et solidaire)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCodha is part of the Geneva Social and Solidarity Economy network, which promotes enterprises focused on positive social and environmental impact.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GWZ Genossenschaft Wohngenossenschaft Zürich: Zurich cooperative housing association managing a sizeable multifamily portfolio. Comparable to Codha as a non-profit landlord relying on member shares and below-market rents.
• La Maison Ouvrière (LMO): Basel housing cooperative providing affordable rental housing on a non-profit basis. Same cooperative housing model and member-driven operations as Codha, though operating in a different Swiss region.
• Mehr als Wohnen: Network of cooperatives in Zurich developing affordable, ecological, and participatory housing. Comparable business model to Codha's mix of subsidized rentals, eco-construction, and resident involvement.
• Genossenschaft Kalkbreite: Zurich cooperative known for ecologically built, mixed-use housing with strong participatory governance. Closely comparable to Codha on its eco + participatory design positioning and community-led operations.
• Coopérative Equilibre: Geneva housing cooperative active in affordable, ecological, and participatory housing. Operates in the same Geneva market and under the same GCHG umbrella, with a comparable eco + community positioning.
• Heimstättengenossenschaft HIMO: Winterthur-area housing cooperative managing non-profit rental housing. Same cooperative governance model and mission of providing affordable, member-oriented housing as Codha.
• ABZ Allgemeine Baugenossenschaft Zürich: Large Zurich-based non-profit housing cooperative managing a multifamily rental portfolio. Directly comparable as a Swiss cooperative housing operator with a similar mix of rental housing, member governance, and below-market rents.
• Wohnbaugenossenschaft Bern (WBG): Long-standing Bern housing cooperative offering non-profit rental housing. Similar model to Codha: member-owned, below-market rents, and active management of a multifamily residential portfolio.
• Coopérative d'Habitation des Pâquis: Geneva-based housing cooperative that is part of the same GCHG umbrella organization as Codha. Directly comparable as a non-profit cooperative operating affordable housing in the Geneva market.

Broad incumbents

• Logis Suisse (formerly SVIT Schweiz): Swiss umbrella organization for real-estate and housing cooperatives, including cooperative housing providers. Comparable at an industry level as Codha is part of a similar cooperative ecosystem; Logis Suisse is broader and provides sector-wide services rather than directly competing for tenants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61586909070329
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/codha
• Instagraminstagram.com/codha.ch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Associative housing cooperative