The Renting Cooperative™: A New Housing Model Created by Renting Partnerships
Renting Partnerships provides and operates permanently affordable housing that allows low-income households to maintain stability and build emergency savings through a unique participatory management program. Our Renting Cooperative™ model allows residents to earn up to $10,000 in financial credits within ten years by attending monthly meetings, completing upkeep assignments and paying rent on time. After five years, residents are vested and can use credits to offset rent or other expenses. These payments do not add to the cost of operating because they are offset by lower costs for turnover and vacancy than typical for rental housing.
Renting Partnerships provides and operates permanently affordable housing that allows low-income households to maintain stability and build emergency savings through a unique participatory management program. Our Renting Cooperative™ model allows residents to earn up to $10,000 in financial credits within ten years by attending monthly meetings, completing upkeep assignments and paying rent on time. After five years, residents are vested and can use credits to offset rent or other expenses. These payments do not add to the cost of operating because they are offset by lower costs for turnover and vacancy than typical for rental housing.
A Third Way
Unlike conventional housing models, the Renting Cooperative™ allows renters to:
Unlike conventional housing models, the Renting Cooperative™ allows renters to:
- Manage Cooperatively: Residents build wealth by achieving efficiencies in the management of their housing. A three session orientation prepares prospective residents for new roles and responsibilities before they apply for apartment. Every household is a member of the resident association which has a policy making role involving the environment, maintenance and financial goals.
- Earn Rental Equity: A schedule of financial credits in our lease looks much like the principal repayment for a loan. However, earnings are linked to fulfillment of measurable commitments each month to pay rent on time, attend monthly meetings and upkeep responsibilities. These actions produce savings on vacancy, turnover, administrative and maintenance expense worth up to $1,000 per year for each household.
- Access Financial Stability: Credits become accessible after five years, providing residents with funds they can use toward rent, paying off debt, and other opportunities for growth.
- Maintain Affordability: Because residents invest through participation rather than property ownership, their homes remain affordable for future renters.
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The Legal Structure of the Renting Cooperative™
The legal framework not only maintains affordability but also provides a path to financial growth without requiring ownership—a structure entirely unique to the Renting Cooperative™ model.
Outcomes
Developed over 22 years, the Renting Cooperative model has shown that renters can create and capture value in ways beyond traditional leasing:
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Closing the Wealth Gap
Founded in 2014, Renting Partnerships is a (501-c-3) nonprofit incorporated in Ohio. Renting Partnerships is excited to work with organizations and partners to scale this unique housing model. Together, we can redefine the role of renters in affordable housing and foster greater economic equity for communities everywhere.Expanding renting cooperatives will strengthen the economy by building wealth among households that don't own property. Rental equity can grow up to $10,000 in ten years and continue building. This is significant for overcoming racial economic inequities, particularly for black households. The net worth of black households in the U.S. is about 1/10th the net worth of white households. The median income of black households is $35,000 per year less than the median income of white households. Fewer build assets through ownership and home prices are rising faster than income. A new approach is necessary to create opportunities for all households who do not rent by choice.
Founded in 2014, Renting Partnerships is a (501-c-3) nonprofit incorporated in Ohio. Renting Partnerships is excited to work with organizations and partners to scale this unique housing model. Together, we can redefine the role of renters in affordable housing and foster greater economic equity for communities everywhere.Expanding renting cooperatives will strengthen the economy by building wealth among households that don't own property. Rental equity can grow up to $10,000 in ten years and continue building. This is significant for overcoming racial economic inequities, particularly for black households. The net worth of black households in the U.S. is about 1/10th the net worth of white households. The median income of black households is $35,000 per year less than the median income of white households. Fewer build assets through ownership and home prices are rising faster than income. A new approach is necessary to create opportunities for all households who do not rent by choice.
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