Alsfeld doubled!Foundation of the building and housing cooperative

After the end of the Second World War, Alsfeld became a new home for numerous refugees and displaced persons. Around 5,000 people flocked to the town, nearly doubling Alsfeld’s population. Although Alsfeld had been spared significant destruction, there was a severe shortage of living space for the many newcomers. Initially, they were accommodated in private apartments through compulsory assignments, with only 6 square meters available per person—a situation that is hard to imagine today.

To address this housing shortage, several committed citizens founded a building and housing cooperative in 1948 (gemeinnützige Bau- und Siedlungsgenossenschaft eGmbH Alsfeld). The tenants simultaneously became members of the cooperative, receiving shares and voting rights. Securing the necessary capital and land proved to be a challenge in the beginning.

However, during the 1950s, the cooperative succeeded in building 277 apartments in Alsfeld. Since being recognized as a non-profit organization in 1978, the cooperative has continued to grow and today manages a total of 610 residential units. (JP)