Mobiliare invests 200 million in public housing. (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Furniture invests up to 200 million francs in social housing
• Will build 1000 rented apartments at cost price
• Founded in 1826, it is the oldest Swiss insurer

Key facts

• Investment: 200 million francs of equity capital
• Target: 1000 apartments
• Rental model: Pigment commensurate with real costs
• When: Research and review projects already started
• Where: Switzerland (based in Bern)
• Who: La Mobiliare (cooperative society)
• Implementing company: Dedicasa (public utility company)

Furniture, the oldest Swiss insurance company, enters the social housing sector. The announcement comes from a statement issued by Bern: the company will invest up to 200 million francs of equity to build 1000 apartments for rent at a price commensurate with real costs. The initiative responds to a growing national challenge: finding affordable housing has become increasingly difficult for families, young people and the elderly.

The solution proposed by Furniture is based on a model already known in Switzerland: the rent commensurate with costs. The rent will therefore cover the actual costs of construction, financing and maintenance, without profit margins. This approach differs significantly from the domestic housing market, where prices reflect demand, localization, and speculative margins. "For many people, finding a home at a low price is

Operational details

Because housing scarcity is a national issue

The housing access crisis is affecting Switzerland across the board. The costo della vita, including real estate, remains a major concern for Swiss residents. La Mobiliare explicitly acknowledges in the press release that the challenge concerns "families, young people and the elderly" — three demographic groups under pressure in the contemporary housing market.

The model of rent commensurate with costs represents a consolidated approach in Switzerland, already practiced by housing cooperatives and non-profit organizations. Unlike the free market, where the price reflects demand, location and profit margins, the cost rent covers only the actual costs of construction, financing and maintenance. This allows significantly lower rents than market averages, resulting in a concrete economic advantage for tenants.

The Furniture initiative is placed in a context where the contribution of the private sector to public utility construction remains limited. The cooperative stresses that it is pursuing "a long-term approach": the objective is to "make a lasting contribution to ensuring the availability of affordable housing in the Confederation".

Implications for housing availability

The investment of 200 million in 1000 apartments corresponds to an average of 200,000 francs per housing unit.

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Key points

How to Access Dedicasa Housing by Mobiliare

Project research and examination have already been initiated, according to Mobiliare's announcement. However, neither the construction start date, nor the schedule for housing availability, nor the tenant selection criteria have been communicated in the initial message. For those interested in following the project's development, the first step is to monitor Mobiliare's official communications through its institutional website.

The company established Dedicasa specifically for this purpose and will entrust Mobiliare Switzerland Asset Management with operational management. Although procedural details for applying are not yet available, it is reasonable to expect that access procedures will be published in the coming months, as soon as the projects are sufficiently advanced.

Verify Your Housing Budget in Switzerland

In the meantime, those searching for housing in Switzerland should evaluate the proportion that rent represents of their income. The widely accepted empirical rule suggests that monthly rent should not exceed 30-33% of net income. For a family with average Swiss incomes, this share often remains a real challenge.

By calculating your available budget for rent, you can identify regions and cantons where market prices fall within your reach. Some cantons have lower average rents than others, and proximity to major urban centers (Zurich, Geneva, Bern, Basel, Lausanne) significantly affects prices. By consulting real estate search platforms and official statistics, you can get a realistic idea of the options available in the current market.

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