A historic moment for Puerto Rico’s cooperative movement: two new housing cooperatives have been incorporated for the first time since the 1990s, adding to more than 4,000 cooperative housing units across the island.
Puerto Rico’s cooperative sector reached a historic milestone during fiscal year 2025-2026 with the incorporation of two housing cooperatives, the first to be established on the island in more than three decades.
According to the Puerto Rico Commission for Cooperative Development (CDCOOP), the newly incorporated Cooperativa de Viviendas La Torre de Sofía and Cooperativa de Vivienda La Futura Rosario increase the island’s inventory of cooperative housing units to more than 4,000.
Commissioner Liza Alfaro Mercado described the development as a significant step forward for the cooperative movement, emphasizing its role in addressing Puerto Rico’s housing challenges while promoting community-based economic development.
The report also highlighted the continued growth of the sector, which now includes 499 active cooperatives across Puerto Rico, including youth, housing, energy, worker-owned and credit cooperatives. During the fiscal year, eight worker cooperatives, two mixed cooperatives and 16 youth cooperatives were also incorporated.
CDCOOP noted increasing cooperative activity in industries such as renewable energy, fiber optics, artificial intelligence, technology, agriculture, coffee production, logistics and strategic marketing.
The agency also underscored the economic impact of youth cooperatives, which generate approximately 130 direct jobs and contribute more than $1.5 million annually to the local economy.
Officials said the expansion reflects the growing role of cooperatives as tools for economic development, innovation and housing solutions across Puerto Rico.
