“The whole building is my home”: Children’s and adolescents’ perspectives on health, well-being, and cooperative housing in Catalonia (Spain)

Housing is widely recognized as both a physical and a social determinant of health, with housing conditions significantly affecting individuals’ physical and mental well-being. In Catalonia, cooperative housing under the grant-of-use model has expanded as an alternative to traditional ownership and rental arrangements. In this model, residents hold usage rights to their dwellings without individual ownership, and the dwellings are collectively managed by a non-profit cooperative. Decisions are made democratically through assemblies and working groups, and community living is fostered through shared spaces and collective responsibilities. Evidence from previous studies indicates that this model has a positive impact on adult health; however, its effects on children and adolescents (C&A) remain largely unexplored. This study examined how C&A, living in housing cooperatives in Catalonia, perceive their health and well-being. Four participatory workshops were conducted with 14 children and adolescents aged 3–14 years, complemented by two semi-structured interviews with one child (aged 10 years) and one adolescent (aged 15 years) across four housing cooperatives. The workshops explored physical, emotional, and community dimensions of health using visual tools to facilitate reflection on daily experiences. Cooperative housing under the grant-of-use model influences children’s and adolescents’ health and well-being through three key aspects: communal living, which fosters safety and emotional support; limited participation due to adult-centered governance structures; and the material quality of dwellings, which affects physical comfort and emotional well-being. In conclusion, cooperative housing provides environments that promote safety, community, and stability for C&A, but their exclusion from governance represents a limitation. Expanding their participation and considering their perspectives are essential to ensure equity and the fulfilment of their rights.