The apartment search in Hamburg is a mammoth task. Finding an apartment that is both affordable and matches your own needs - if we're honest, that sometimes feels like winning the lottery.

Housing cooperatives offer a long-term and fair alternative to the classic rental market. But what exactly are housing cooperatives anyway? And how can you become a member and rent an apartment?

There are numerous cooperatives in Hamburg. Both in the well-known districts and in less-noticed corners of the city. In this article we introduce all 30 of Hamburg's housing cooperatives to you in a detailed list.

What are housing cooperatives?

A housing cooperative is a special form of living. Instead of renting an apartment, you become a member of a community. That means: you pay shares in the cooperative and in return receive a lifelong right of residence. The advantage? Rents stay stable because there are no private investors. Instead, the well-being of the members is the focus. Apartments are almost always cheaper to rent than on the open market.

For many people this is a secure and social housing alternative. You don't have to fear termination for the owner's personal use and you benefit from a strong community. For many, a housing cooperative is the perfect alternative for affordable and secure living. There are currently 30 housing cooperatives in Hamburg.

How do I become a member of a housing cooperative in Hamburg?

To become a member of a housing cooperative in Hamburg, you (logically) first have to find a cooperative that suits you. There are many in Hamburg – some are responsible for particular districts, others for the whole of Hamburg. The probably best-known one - and at the same time the one with the most housing units - is called SAGA. You've surely heard of it before.

Once you've found a suitable cooperative, you submit a so-called membership application. For this you usually have to buy shares that secure your right of residence. The amount varies depending on the cooperative and apartment type.

The problem with this: because of the housing shortage in Hamburg, almost all cooperatives have long waiting lists. It's therefore worthwhile to become a member early – even if you're not currently looking for an apartment. For a long time, it worked like this: you bought shares and were admitted into the cooperative. As a result, you could then apply for available apartments.

Since many housing cooperatives no longer admit new members via the classic membership application, they too list their available apartments on the usual property portals. If you're lucky and the cooperative chooses you as a tenant, you become a member in the same breath.

Housing cooperatives place great value on social aspects and – in contrast to the open market – more frequently choose socially disadvantaged people as tenants. They often prefer applicants who have a low income or are single parents. In doing so, they also enable people with financial constraints to access affordable living space and a stable housing situation.

List of all housing cooperatives in Hamburg

Below you'll find a list of all 30 housing cooperatives in Hamburg. Visit the respective website of the cooperative to view available apartments and apply. Alternatively, you can also call the respective cooperative.

SAGA Unternehmensgruppe

Address:
Poppenhusenstraße 2
22305 Hamburg

Phone: 040 / 42666 666
Email: kontakt@meinesaga.hamburg
Website: www.saga.hamburg

Districts:
Entire Hamburg city area

Short description:
The SAGA Unternehmensgruppe is Hamburg's largest housing company and offers living space in almost all districts. It is committed to social urban development and provides diverse housing offerings for different population groups.

Allgemeine Deutsche Schiffszimmerer-Genossenschaft eG

Address:
Fuhlsbüttler Straße 672
22337 Hamburg​

Phone: (040) 63 800 – 0
Email: info@schiffszimmerer.de
Website: www.schiffszimmerer.de​

Districts: Entire Hamburg city area

Short description:
Since 1875, the Schiffszimmerer-Genossenschaft has actively helped shape life in Hamburg. It offers its members living space and is committed to the community.

Altonaer Spar- und Bauverein eG (altoba)

Address:
Barnerstraße 14a
22765 Hamburg​

Phone: 040 / 38 90 10 – 0
Email: post@altoba.de
Website: www.altoba.de

Districts: Altona borough

Short description:
The Altonaer Spar- und Bauverein eG, altoba for short, is a housing cooperative in Hamburg steeped in tradition. It offers its members secure and affordable living space and fosters a lively neighbourhood. ​

Baugenossenschaft Dennerstraße-Selbsthilfe eG

Address:
Hufnerstraße 28
22083 Hamburg​

Phone: (040) 20 200 – 30
Email: info@bds-hamburg.de
Website: www.bds-hamburg.de​

Districts: Entire Hamburg city area.

Short description:
The Baugenossenschaft Dennerstraße-Selbsthilfe eG was founded to offer its members affordable living space. It relies on self-help and community engagement.

Baugenossenschaft der Buchdrucker eG

Address:
Steilshooper Straße 94
22305 Hamburg​

Phone: 040 / 69 70 81 – 0
Email: willkommen@buchdrucker.de
Website: www.buchdrucker.de​

Districts:
Bergedorf, Eimsbüttel, Mitte, Nord, Wandsbek​

Short description:
The Baugenossenschaft der Buchdrucker eG offers its members affordable apartments in Hamburg. Originally founded for book printers, it is today open to all professional groups and sees itself as a partner to its members.

Baugenossenschaft dhu eG

Address:
Buchsbaumweg 10a
22299 Hamburg​

Phone: 040 514943-0
Email: info@dhu.hamburg
Website: www.dhu.hamburg​

Districts: Altona, Bergedorf, Eimsbüttel, Hamburg-Mitte, Hamburg-Nord, Wandsbek and Ammersbek

Short description:
The Baugenossenschaft dhu eG puts people at the centre. It builds and maintains apartments and offers members and interested parties diverse topics and articles all about living and daily life.

Baugenossenschaft Finkenwärder-Hoffnung eG

Address:
Uhlenhoffweg 1a
21129 Hamburg​

Phone: (040) 311 86 – 600
Email: info@fwheg.de
Website: www.fwheg.de​

Districts: Finkenwerder, Eißendorf, Harburg, Neuwiedenthal, Neugraben-Fischbek and Kirchdorf

Short description:
The Baugenossenschaft Finkenwärder-Hoffnung eG offers its members living space in Hamburg-Finkenwerder. It places value on a good neighbourhood and community living.

Baugenossenschaft FLUWOG-NORDMARK eG

Address:
Wiesendamm 9
22305 Hamburg​

Phone: 040 / 53 10 91 – 0
Email: wohnen@fluwog.de
Website: www.fluwog.de​

Districts: Alsterdorf, Barmbek-Nord, Barmbek-Süd, Dulsberg, Eidelstedt, Eilbek, Fuhlsbüttel, Groß Borstel, HafenCity and Hamm

Short description:
The Baugenossenschaft FLUWOG-NORDMARK eG offers its members living space in Hamburg. It relies on cooperative values and fosters a lively community.

Baugenossenschaft freier Gewerkschafter eG (bgfg)

Address:
Willy-Brandt-Straße 67
20457 Hamburg​

Phone: 040 21 11 00-0
Email: info@bgfg.de
Website: www.bgfg.de​

Districts: Niendorf and surroundings

Baugenossenschaft Fuhlsbüttel eG

Address: Sengelmannstraße 185
22335 Hamburg​

Phone: (040) 59 53 33
Fax: (040) 50 38 30
Email: info@bg-fuhlsbuettel.de
Website: www.bg-fuhlsbuettel.de​

Districts: Alsterdorf, Eppendorf, Fuhlsbüttel, Langenhorn, Steilshoop and Wandsbek

Short description:
The Baugenossenschaft Fuhlsbüttel eG has offered its members secure and affordable living space in Hamburg for many years. It places value on a good neighbourhood and sustainable housing concepts.

Baugenossenschaft Hamburger Wohnen eG

Address: Försterweg 46
22525 Hamburg​

Phone: 040 540 006 0
Fax: 040 540 006 30
Email: info@hamburgerwohnen.de
Website: www.hamburgerwohnen.de​

Districts: Barmbek-Süd, Barmbek-Nord, Winterhude, Fuhlsbüttel, Langenhorn, Eimsbüttel, Eppendorf, Altona and Hamburg-Nord

Short description:
The Baugenossenschaft Hamburger Wohnen eG offers its members secure living with a focus on sustainability, a good neighbourhood and social engagement. With the online service portal "HaWo direkt", it gives its members modern and direct access to various services.

Bauverein der Elbgemeinden eG (BVE)

Address: Heidrehmen 1
22589 Hamburg​

Phone: (040) 2 44 22 - 0
Fax: (040) 2 44 22 - 555
Email: info@bve.de
Website: www.bve.de​

Districts: Iserbrook, Sülldorf, Altona and Hamburg-Mitte

Short description:
With around 14,500 apartments and over 23,000 members, the Bauverein der Elbgemeinden eG is the largest housing cooperative in Hamburg and one of the largest in Germany.

Bauverein Reiherstieg eG

Address: Georg-Wilhelm-Straße 127a
21107 Hamburg​

Phone: 040 752489-0
Fax: 040 752489-99
Email: info@reiherstieg.de
Website: www.reiherstieg.de

Districts: Elbe island of Wilhelmsburg​

Short description:
The Bauverein Reiherstieg eG is a cooperative housing company with around 1,600 apartments, most of which are located on the Elbe island of Wilhelmsburg in the south of Hamburg.

Eisenbahnbauverein Harburg eG

Address: Rosentreppe 1a
21079 Hamburg​

Phone: 040 / 764 04 - 0
Fax: 040 / 764 04 - 222
Email: info@ebv-harburg.de
Website: www.ebv-harburg.de​

Districts: Harburg, Wilstorf, Eißendorf, Heimfeld​

Short description:
The Eisenbahnbauverein Harburg eG has offered its members secure and affordable living space in Hamburg-Harburg for many years. The cooperative places value on a good neighbourhood and sustainable housing concepts.

Gartenstadt Hamburg eG

Address: Berner Allee 31a
22159 Hamburg​

Phone: (040) 644 10 - 60
Fax: (040) 644 10 - 666
Email: info@gartenstadt-hamburg.de
Website: www.gartenstadt-hamburg.de​

Districts: Wandsbek

Short description:
The Gartenstadt Hamburg eG promotes community living in green surroundings and offers its members attractive living space in Hamburg. It places particular value on sustainable housing concepts and a high quality of living.

Gemeinnützige Baugenossenschaft Bergedorf-Bille eG

Address: Bergedorfer Straße 100
21029 Hamburg-Bergedorf​

Phone: 040 / 72 56 00-0
Email: info@bergedorf-bille.de
Website: www.bergedorf-bille.de​

Districts: Bergedorf and surroundings

Short description:
The Gemeinnützige Baugenossenschaft Bergedorf-Bille eG has offered its members secure and affordable living space in Hamburg-Bergedorf for many years. It places value on a good neighbourhood and sustainable housing concepts.

Hamburg-Rahlstedter Baugenossenschaft eG (HARABAU)

Address:
Schimmelmannstraße 123
22043 Hamburg

Phone: (040) 669019-0
Fax: (040) 669019-25
Email: info@harabau.de
Website: www.harabau.de

Districts:
Hamburg-Rahlstedt, Wandsbek and surroundings

Short description:
The HARABAU eG is a housing cooperative steeped in tradition with a focus on family-friendly and multi-generational living space. It offers its members a secure home with fair rents and is committed to sustainable neighbourhood development.

Lehrer-Baugenossenschaft eG

Address:
Hammer Steindamm 38
20535 Hamburg

Phone: (040) 251 51 10
Email: info@lehrerbau.de
Website: www.lehrerbau.de

Districts:
Hamburg-Hamm, Wandsbek and surroundings

Short description:
The Lehrer-Baugenossenschaft eG offers its members affordable living space with a particular orientation towards educators. It places great value on a family-like neighbourhood and long-term housing security.

Hansa Baugenossenschaft eG

Address:
Steinstraße 27
20095 Hamburg

Phone: (040) 32 90 12 - 0
Email: info@hansa-baugenossenschaft.de
Website: www.hansa-baugenossenschaft.de

Districts:
Hamburg-Mitte, Eimsbüttel, Wandsbek

Short description:
The Hansa Baugenossenschaft eG is one of the oldest housing cooperatives in Hamburg and offers its members attractive and affordable apartments. It relies on sustainable housing concepts and a lively community.

Hanseatische Baugenossenschaft Hamburg eG

Address:
Hindenburgstraße 90
22297 Hamburg

Phone: (040) 51 31 02 - 0
Email: info@hanseatische.de
Website: www.hanseatische.de

Districts:
Hamburg-Nord, Winterhude, Barmbek

Short description:
The Hanseatische Baugenossenschaft Hamburg eG places value on modern and sustainable living. It offers its members living space with a high quality of living and is committed to lively neighbourhoods.

mgf Gartenstadt Farmsen eG

Address:
August-Krogmann-Straße 52
22159 Hamburg

Phone: (040) 64 40 98 - 0
Email: info@mgf-eg.de
Website: www.mgf-eg.de

Districts:
Farmsen-Berne

Short description:
The mgf Gartenstadt Farmsen eG offers attractive living space in the green district of Farmsen-Berne. It relies on sustainable neighbourhood development and a strong sense of togetherness among its members.

Wohnungsgenossenschaft Falkenried-Terrassen eG

Address:
Lehmweg 48
20251 Hamburg

Phone: (040) 47 17 36
Email: info@falkenried-terrassen.de
Website: www.falkenried-terrassen.de

Districts:
Eppendorf

Short description:
The Wohnungsgenossenschaft Falkenried-Terrassen eG offers individual living in one of Hamburg's most popular districts. The cooperative places value on community living and a harmonious sense of togetherness.

Vereinigte Hamburger Wohnungsbaugenossenschaft eG (VHW)

Address:
Hammer Landstraße 8
20537 Hamburg

Phone: (040) 21001 - 0
Email: info@vhw-hamburg.de
Website: www.vhw-hamburg.de

Districts:
Hamburg-Mitte, Wandsbek, Harburg

Short description:
The VHW eG is one of the largest housing cooperatives in Hamburg. It offers its members modern, affordable apartments in many districts and is committed to sustainable housing concepts.

Walddörfer Wohnungsbaugenossenschaft eG

Address:
Ohlendiekshöhe 1
22397 Hamburg

Phone: (040) 605 00 60
Email: info@walddoerfer.de
Website: www.walddoerfer.de

Districts:
Volksdorf, Bergstedt, Sasel, Duvenstedt

Short description:
The Walddörfer Wohnungsbaugenossenschaft eG offers living close to nature in Hamburg's Walddörfer. It relies on sustainable neighbourhood development and community living.

Wohnungsgenossenschaft WGW eG

Address:
Friedrich-Ebert-Damm 55
22047 Hamburg

Phone: (040) 694 58 80
Email: info@wgw-eg.de
Website: www.wgw-eg.de

Districts:
Hamburg-Wandsbek and surroundings

Short description:
The Wohnungsgenossenschaft WGW eG offers its members affordable living space with a high quality of living. It is committed to sustainable urban development and fosters the community in its neighbourhoods.

Wohnungsbaugenossenschaft KAIFU-NORDLAND eG

Address:
Kieler Straße 131
22769 Hamburg

Phone: 040 / 43 17 02 - 0
Fax: 040 / 43 17 02 - 32
Email: info@kaifu.de
Website: www.kaifu.de

Districts:
Eimsbüttel, Altona, St. Pauli

Short description:
The KAIFU-NORDLAND eG offers its members attractive and affordable living space in central Hamburg districts. It places value on sustainable housing concepts and fosters a lively neighbourhood.

Wohnungsbaugenossenschaft Süderelbe eG

Address:
Kleinfeld 86
21149 Hamburg

Phone: 040 / 702052-0
Fax: 040 / 702052-12
Email: info@baugen-suederelbe.de
Website: www.baugen-suederelbe.de

Districts:
Neugraben-Fischbek, Hausbruch, Harburg

Short description:
The Wohnungsbaugenossenschaft Süderelbe eG has offered its members high-quality living space in the south of Hamburg for over 75 years. It fosters active togetherness and is committed to social projects in the region.

Wohnungsgenossenschaft Hamburg-Wandsbek von 1897 eG (WHW 1897)

Address:
Behnkenkammer 2
22041 Hamburg

Phone: 040 / 682877-0
Email: info@whw1897.de
Website: www.whw1897.de

Districts:
Wandsbek, Marienthal, Tonndorf

Short description:
The WHW 1897 eG is a cooperative steeped in tradition that offers its members secure and affordable living space. It places great value on the upkeep and modernisation of its housing stock as well as on a good neighbourhood.

Wohnungsgenossenschaft von 1904 e.G.

Address:
Landwehr 34
22087 Hamburg

Phone: 040 / 423008-0
Fax: 040 / 423008-44
Email: info@1904.de
Website: www.1904.de

Districts:
Uhlenhorst, Hohenfelde, Barmbek-Süd

Short description:
The Wohnungsgenossenschaft von 1904 e.G. has offered its members attractive living space in central locations for over a century. It relies on sustainable modernisation and fosters an active community life.

Wohnungsverein Hamburg von 1902 eG

Address:
Landwehr 58
22087 Hamburg

Phone: +49 40 251 92 70
Email: info@wv1902.de
Website: www.wv1902.de

Districts:
Eilbek, Hohenfelde, Uhlenhorst

Short description:
The Wohnungsverein Hamburg von 1902 eG has offered its members affordable living space in attractive locations for over 120 years. It places value on sustainable management and a good sense of togetherness among residents.