WOKO
Housing for students

WOKO rents out over 4000 rooms in Zurich, Winterthur and Wädenswil. Our offer is aimed exclusively at students and doctoral students from universities in the canton of Zurich. We are a non-profit cooperative founded by students in 1956 to provide affordable housing in and around Zurich..

All inclusive

As a rule, individual rooms are rented from WOKO and not apartments. Students live in shared flats of 2 to 15 residents, with a shared kitchen and bathroom. Most of the rooms are offered furnished. In addition to the cost of the room, the rent also includes furnishings and equipment as well as all ancillary costs. Depending on the property, additional shared rooms are also available to our tenants. These include, for example, workshops, house bars, music rooms, etc.

Management, maintenance and operation

WOKO manages properties belonging to the Zurich Student Housing Foundation, ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich and the SWOWI Foundation in Winterthur and Wädenswil. We also rent properties from the city and canton of Zurich, and from private individuals for subletting to students. We collect the rent, take care of caretaking, operation and maintenance and are responsible for accounting and financial control. We also develop and support projects for new student accommodation.

 

2 columns - Doe WOKO 1
2 columns - Doe WOKO 2

Financing

We receive neither subsidies for the operation of the student residences nor deficit coverage. As an organization under private law, WOKO itself is responsible for achieving a balanced financial result. Our low room prices are based on fair conditions from the house owners, allied with efficient and cost-effective administration.

Founded by students

The Housing Commission (WOKO) was founded in 1956 by the student bodies of both Zurich universities. This gave rise to today's Studentische Wohngenossenschaft Zürich in 1972. The abbreviation WOKO was retained despite the change of name. The members of WOKO are exclusively legal entities, including organisations representing students (VSETH and VSUZH), doctoral students (AVETH) and former students (ETH Alumni, Zürcher Universitätsverein ZUNIV). To mark our 50th anniversary in 2006, a publication was produced compiling the history of WOKO from its initial foundation to the present day.

WOKO Organs

WOKO's governing bodies form the foundation of the cooperative. They ensure the strategic direction, monitor the management, and represent the interests of the members. This ensures that WOKO acts sustainably and in the interests of the students.

Cooperative members

  • Verband der Studierenden an der ETH Zürich (VSETH): www.vseth.ethz.ch
  • Verband der Studierenden der Universität Zürich (VSUZH): vsuzh.ch
  • Akademische Vereinigung des Mittelbaus an der ETH Zürich: www.aveth.ethz.ch
  • Vereinigung akademischer Mittelbau der Universität Zürich (VAUZ): www.vauz.uzh.ch
  • Gesellschaft ehemaliger Studierender ETH Zürich/ETH Alumni: www.alumni.ethz.ch
  • UZH Alumni: www.alumni.uzh.ch
  • Studierende Kantonale Maturitätsschule für Erwachsene, Zürich (KME): www.kme.ch
  • Studierendenversammlung der ZHdK (VERSO): verso-verso.org
  • Wohnstiftung für Studierende (WOST), Basel
  • Versammlung der Studierenden der Pädagogischen Hochschule Zürich (VSPHZH): www.vsphzh.com/
  • Alias Studierende der Zürcher Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (Alias ZHAW): www.alias-zhaw.ch

Management Board

  • Cornelia Estermann: President
  • Michael Wüthrich: Vice President
  • Marianne Dutli Derron
  • Katrin Eichelberger
  • Simone Landolt (Delegate of the City of Zurich)
  • Sophie Schulz
  • Lars Weidinger

Management

  • Karin Schulte: Managing Director
  • Thomas Gnekow: Head of Finance, Deputy Managing Director
  • Cornelia Dolpp: Head of Housing
  • Markus Helbling: Head of Real Estate
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