Affordable housing in Europe: how do the various member-states do it?

 

Original text in German by Susanne Juranek

Translation into English and adaptation by Michalis Goudis

The affordable housing sector works differently in the various EU member-states, since there is no common EU definition of ‘social housing’. In Germany, there is a clear regulatory framework for social housing, though its share is more and more declining. With only 3,9% of the housing market, the country is ranked 15th in Europe. The Netherlands is on the top of the list with 30% of the overall stock being social, followed by Austria (24%) and Denmark (20%). But there are also countries where social housing is less established with homeownership having a much stronger tradition as for instance is the case of Spain and many eastern European countries.

While the provision of affordable housing is a big challenge across the continent, there are concrete differences when it comes to funding related to the national context and regulatory framework. This was one of the clear outcomes of the exchange between around 25 participants of the summer school from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Ireland and Italy.

Those were only some of the facts that Housing Europe Research Coordinator, Alice Pittini shared with the summer school participants during the opening session. In an interactive session, Alice also asked delegates to identify the key challenges for the affordable housing sector from their point of view. We have asked Alice to tell us more about her experience this year in Bochum:

I had the pleasure to participate to the introductory day of the summer school as well as the following day dedicated to ‘financing of affordable housing’. In a first ‘warm up’ session we asked participants to identify in one key word what according to them will be the future main challenges for affordable housing providers. ‘Financing’ was by far the most popular pick, highlighting the interest from participants around this theme – this meant the first subject of the summer school was hitting the right spot!

We had a good combination with a lecture by Prof Boelhouwer (who is not only one of the lead academics when it comes to housing but also someone with practical experience in the field) giving an overview of the different national systems, followed by presentations which focused more on the concrete experience of housing providers and what’s innovative in the field. For  instance I  found the complexity of funding sources that are used by housing associations in the UK, presented by Paul Richard of One Housing Group, particularly striking, and as many of the participants I was interested in the potential of 'performance bonds' in our sector.

I also very much enjoyed the workshop that followed, where participants were asked to explain the funding system for social housing in their respective countries and then to think of the ‘pros and cons’ of each system. I trust be comparing with other countries participants were able to get some new ideas and inspiration on how to make social housing more (financially) sustainable – overall despite the differences between countries ‘we all share the same goals and target groups’ as was highlighted during the last day wrap-up session.

Delegates were able to get a closer look at the national financing mechanisms and to evaluate the respective tools. Italy was considered to be a positive example, in particular a model based on a private, non-profit foundation that promotes social housing with the support of an ethical real estate fund and public-private partnerships. The so-called “Performance bonds” in the UK also received positive feedback, since the level of interest rates is calculated taking into consideration whether the company has achieved its strategic goals. Moreover, housing allowances for low-income households, e.g. like in Germany were termed best practice.

On the other hand, participants had a rather critical look at rent control for social housing in Germany, as it is only temporary. Similar was the reaction towards the ‘Usufruct’ models in France, as in this case the land is used at a reduced price to host social housing for a period of 15 to 20 years but then can be used without limitations by investors. Both models were deemed not sustainable.

Besides lectures from experienced experts, including Housing Europe’s Alice Pittini and Edit Lakatos, and interactive workshops, the participants visited the Ministry for Regional Identity, Communities and Local Government, Building and Gender Equality of the Land of North-Rhine Westphalia, where Rita Tölle, the Director of the Department 407 for the Funding of Housing Rehabilitation, presented the funding programmes of North-Rhine Westphalia for social housing. Moreover, the young professionals were introduced to the German cooperative model through the example of the Construction and Savings Cooperative in Düsseldorf (Düsseldorfer Bau- und Spargenossenschaft eG). The group paid a visit to the newly constructed ‘Kastanienhöfe’ (‘chestnut courtyard‘) project that also includes social housing as well as homes at a reduced price despite the tight housing market in the city.

Co-governance, Co-design, Co-creation and ultimately Co-City have been at the core of the debate about designing living environments and neighbourhoods in a participatory way. The ‘Starters Up’ project of the Dutch Housing Company Eigen Haard was identified as best practice in Amsterdam where more and more young people arrive pursuing a job opportunity while looking for an affordable place to live. The project aims to build a strong community, including homeless people, as well. Tenants have to organise themselves, use and maintain community rooms, gardens and shared spaces. Dwellings are rather small, more like studios, to keep prices low and to promote the use of the generous communal facilities.

Food for thought from the academic research front was on the menu as well as practical examples that added to the exchange of experiences that participants are supposed to share back in the office with the rest of their team.

The European Summer School was hosted by the EBZ Business School, co-organised with Housing Europe, EFL – European Federation for Living, and IWO – Housing Initiative for Eastern Europe, a partner of Housing Europe. This year’s event was supported by EFL Expertise B.V. The next edition will take place in summer 2019 again in Bochum.