SeniorForum: A whole concept

Mirum AB is a Swedish company started in 2008 to create better housing options for elderly people. It developed the SeniorForum concept, which gives older people affordable homes and access to services through a cooperative model. Everyone over a certain age in a town can join the cooperative, whether they move into the housing or stay in their current home. Members can use shared services and take part in community activities.
The goal is to help elderly people live well, stay safe, and feel connected, while keeping costs reasonable. Many older people in Sweden want to stay in their own neighbourhoods, but current housing often doesn’t meet their needs. The cooperative model helps fix this by offering more suitable, accessible homes and reducing social isolation.
There are three main housing types under this concept: Bonus (for large towns), Habitat (for smaller ones), and Focus (for full-time care). Designs follow the award-winning Nacka model, known for its smart use of space, light, and energy efficiency. Each apartment has a balcony and is built with sustainability in mind, using local materials and clean energy.
Costs are kept down through careful planning. Members pay a small deposit and monthly rent, which is lower than market rates. This setup avoids profit-driven pricing and makes the model financially sustainable. Socially, it gives older people a voice in how their homes are run and offers daily chances for interaction.
The approach has been praised by Sweden’s government and is already being used in five towns. It’s also gaining interest in other countries. Lessons learned include the importance of early community involvement, strong leadership, and clear planning to keep the project on track and effective.