THE AUTONOMOUS APARTMENT BLOCK - ISRAELI HOUSE COMMITTEES

The literature on community activity has largely ignored the housing u nit of the apartment building. However, as urbanization continues and more people live in multiple family dwelling units, its importance in community work and in social work in general can only increase. Using data from 532 residents in the greater Tel Aviv area, this paper exami nes the mechanics of the house committee: how it was set up, 'resident s' meetings and dues collections, the effects on it of the size of the town and of the building, and the influence of professional community workers. In turn, the effects of all these variables are examined on the holding of social activities in the building. Implications are not ed on the democratic nature and representativeness of house committees , the social cohesion of apartment buildings and neighbourhoods, and t he effects of professional intervention at the level of the apartment building.