A path analysis of factors influencing social cohesion and neighbor support in collective self-build housing: The importance of getting to know future neighbors

Social support is important for people’s health and well-being. Neighbors can play an important role in this support. In collective self-build housing projects, future neighbors get to know each other during the development process. This type of development could thus contribute to a higher level of neighborhood cohesion and, therefore, be an interesting type of development where neighbors support each other. Thus far, little quantitative research has been conducted in the field of collective self-building. This study analyzed the influence of personal, household and collective self-build project characteristics on social cohesion and social support from neighbors using a path analysis. Survey data were collected in 2016 from 412 residents of 60 collective self-build housing projects in the Netherlands. The results indicate that getting to know future neighbors during the collective self-build process plays an important role in neighborhood cohesion and access to neighbor support.