Inter-municipal Cooperation (IMC), a collaborative approach among municipalities, is increasingly promoted as a solution to challenges local governments cannot address independently. IMC is viewed as a strategy to enhance resource efficiency, strengthen competencies, and maintain or improve municipal services. In a recent government bill, inter-municipal cooperation and coordination is highlighted as an essential approach for Swedish municipalities to practice when planning and developing their housing provision. Research on IMC and housing provision is, however, limited. IMC studies are usually centred around technical municipal services, such as waste management, with a cost savings aspect in focus. Thus, in the context of housing, IMC appears to involve additional aspects beyond those typically researched in the IMC field.  

Focusing on the regions Skåne and Västra Götaland, this report examines IMC in housing provision at the national, regional, and sub-regional levels. Findings reveal a lack of coherent goals for "coordination" (samordning) with stakeholders, such as the County Administrative Board in Skåne, expressing uncertainty about its intended purpose. Among the established IMC organs highlighted in this report, the work on housing provision tends to involve the production of shared housing market analyses and developing visions for the subregion’s future development. Nevertheless, there are examples of more concrete cooperation outcomes, such as the work done at the IMC organ Storsthlm. Ultimately, the report concludes that IMC in housing provision remains largely unexplored and further studies are required to unfold the objectives and outcomes of this approach.

This report is produced within the framework of JÄMBO, a research project focused on innovative solutions on various levels concerning housing questions and housing provision