A photograph of Stefan Henze (left) and Eric Yeung-Schüürmann (right), smiling as they walk past a building site on a pavement. Stefan Henze is wearing a grey jacket, a white shirt and dark grey jeans, and is holding a white safety helmet. Eric Yeung-Schüürmann is wearing a dark blue jacket, a white T-shirt and blue jeans, and is also holding a white safety helmet. Both are looking directly at the camera. In the background, a site fence can be seen with red advertising banners bearing the words ‘KAEU Housing Cooperative’. Behind the fence is scaffolding attached to a building. A small tree with green leaves stands in the background in the centre of the picture.
ABOUT US

WORKING TOGETHER FOR SUSTAINABLE HOUSING IN HAMBURG.

We are convinced that better living is possible. Find out what we mean by that.

Discover our mission statement Understanding organisations
A historical black-and-white photograph of a cobbled residential street. On the left is a multi-storey building bearing the large sign ‘Apotheke’ and featuring arched windows on the ground floor. A long row of houses stretches along the pavement, in front of which a row of young trees has been planted.
COURAGE MEETS ACTION!

FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

As a co-operative, we have stood for fairness rather than speculation since 1921 – and for decisions that will still hold true tomorrow: environmentally, economically and socially. We see housing as a shared endeavour. For us, this means: nurturing the community, acting with a long-term perspective and creating space for everyone – not just a few.

 

What drives us is the idea of making Hamburg a more liveable place – step by step, house by house, person by person. With courage, conviction and a good dose of Hanseatic clarity and down-to-earthness.

 

Moin Hamburg! We are KAIFU.

“The purpose of the co-operative is to support its members, primarily by providing good-quality, secure and socially responsible housing.”

Artikel 1, KAIFU Satzung

Over 100 years of the co-operative

THE KAIFU THROUGH THE AGES.

1921

Our early days on the Kaiser-Friedrich-Ufer

KAIFU was founded as a ‘building co-operative within the Groß-Hamburg Tenants’ Association of 1890 eGmbH’. On 26 March 1921, it was entered in the register of co-operatives – and began construction of its first housing estate around the Kaiser-Friedrich-Ufer in Eimsbüttel.

1933–1945

Dark Years

During the Nazi era, numerous Jewish members of the KAIFU lost their homes and their lives. Under pressure from the regime, some were forced out of the cooperative even before any official orders were issued. Through meticulous research by historians, it has been possible to trace the fates of 43 of them. One thing is certain: 14 of those affected were brutally murdered. To this day, we commemorate that period and all the victims, and we draw lessons from it. Lessons in responsibility, humanity and vigilance – in a community that #neveragain excludes anyone.

1948

Post-war reconstruction

In the wake of the destruction caused by the Second World War, new homes are being built and existing ones rebuilt.

A black-and-white postcard showing a modern high-rise residential block in the 1960s. It is an L-shaped building with balconies, situated on a multi-lane road.
A historical black-and-white photograph of a bustling children’s playground in a 1960s housing estate. Several children are playing in a large sandpit edged by concrete slabs.
1960

A New Beginning and Growth

By the 1960s, the co-operative already had around 2,700 flats – a clear sign of a new era.

1970

New requirements

As the economic miracle takes hold, expectations regarding modern living are rising: more space, more green spaces, a better quality of life. Operating under the name KAIFU-NORDLAND eG, we now manage 4,198 flats.

the 1980s

Focus on families

The focus is now on subsidised housing for families. In Neu-Allermöhe, 141 publicly subsidised flats are being built – affordable, spacious and with room for families to live together.

Neu-Allermöhe

The KAIFU housing estate at Rahel-Varnhagen-Weg 17–27

A cobbled courtyard with a stone sculpture in front of a semi-circular clinker brick façade
A clinker-brick residential building in the inner courtyard, featuring brick-built round arches and loggias.
Brick house entrance, No. 17, with a covered porch and a semicircular window.
the 1990s

A fresh start in Langenhorn

An old post-war housing estate is being demolished and completely rebuilt: 141 modern, subsidised flats are being built – twice the living space, twice the future.

Langenhorn

The KAIFU housing estate at Wakendorfer Weg 18–28 and Götzberger Weg 1

Front view of a modern, two-storey residential building with a clinker brick and rendered façade, balconies and a densely planted front garden.
An oblique view of the house as seen from the street, surrounded by well-tended green spaces and trees.
A corner view of a reddish-brown clinker-brick residential building with a covered main entrance and large windows in the stairwell.
2004

New homes on the Isebek Canal

In Harvestehude, 20 new flats are being built with views of the water – an example of how contemporary living and Hanseatic architectural tradition go hand in hand.

2016–2020

Building for all generations

Our new development at Eimsbüttel Market Square won us the German Building Owners’ Award in 2020. In the same year, new flats were built in the Pergolenviertel and in the centre of Altona.

2023–2025

A neighbourhood for everyone

In Lokstedt, we are building the LOK67 development, comprising 106 modern flats – suitable for singles and couples as well as families. This is because a nursery is also being built right in the heart of the development.

Today

At home with style

Today, we manage over 5,000 flats – fairly, safely and with a view to the future. For over 100 years, KAIFU has stood for co-operative housing based on compassion, reason and responsibility.

A view from the back of a well-filled conference hall with wooden beams on the ceiling during a representatives’ meeting. The participants are seated at tables facing the podium at the front. There, a panel of speakers sits in front of a large screen onto which a red presentation slide bearing the heading ‘Agenda Item 11: Miscellaneous’ is projected. On the left, large windows offer a view of the countryside; on the right, there are roll-up banners belonging to the co-operative.
COMMUNITY WITH A SYSTEM

THREE IS NOT ONE TOO MANY.

What does KAIFU consist of? And what role does the members’ representative play? Here’s a look behind the scenes.

Understanding the organisation
As at 31 December 2024

US IN FIGURES.

65

Staff

9.114

Members

5.040

Existing flats

7,23

Average rent in euros per square metre

1.583

Existing pitches

28,8

Annual turnover in millions of euros

3,0

Net profit for the year in millions of euros

9,0

Annual maintenance costs in millions of euros