Page Podcast Making a house a home The Housing Europe podcast airing from the heart of the European Capital offers insights into the work of public, cooperative and social housing providers across Europe. Why is it legitimate to claim that they offer more than just housing; rather a home to people. Tune in to discover the urban, social, environmental and economic impact that access to affordable housing has in our communities.
Blog 9 Apr 19 "The housing affordability gap is equivalent to 1% of global GDP" The McKinsey Global Institute take on housing affordability Housing affordability is currently one of the most complex policy challenges our societies in Europe are faced with. As part of our work to identify solutions to this challenge, and in light of the launch of the 'State of Housing in Europe' 2019 report next autumn, we inaugurate a series of interviews with institutions and international stakeholders that have been looking at affordable housing, publishing influential reports and generating valuable data.
Blog 19 Mar 20 What do we mean when we talk about affordability? The Scottish Experience Scottish social housing providers have a long history of taking a proactive stance on the assessment of affordability for their tenants. Through a bottom-up approach to rent setting and embracing digital platforms, they offer a very interesting example of how we can keep social housing affordable.
Blog 29 Apr 19 "Housing affordability is a key determinant of individual well-being and overall economic growth" The World Bank Look at Housing, Mobility and Welfare Housing affordability is currently one of the most complex policy challenges our societies in Europe are faced with. As part of our work to identify solutions to this challenge, and in light of the launch of the 'State of Housing in Europe' 2019 report next autumn, we present a series of interviews with institutions and international stakeholders that have been looking at affordable housing, publishing influential reports and generating valuable data.
Blog 21 May 19 "Access to affordable housing is an enabling factor for social cohesion" The CEB take on housing affordability Housing affordability is currently one of the most complex policy challenges our societies in Europe are faced with. As part of our work to identify solutions to this challenge, and in light of the launch of the 'State of Housing in Europe' 2019 report next autumn, we present a series of interviews with institutions and international stakeholders that have been looking at affordable housing, publishing influential reports and generating valuable data.
Blog 29 May 19 "Access to affordable and adequate housing is perhaps the social problem of our generation" An interview with Dr. Steffen Wetzstein on housing affordability Housing affordability is currently one of the most complex policy challenges our societies in Europe are faced with. As part of our work to identify solutions to this challenge, and in light of the launch of the 'State of Housing in Europe' 2019 report next autumn, we present a series of interviews with institutions and international stakeholders that have been looking at affordable housing, publishing influential reports and generating valuable data.
News 27 Nov 20 BBC StoryWorks to produce series on social and affordable housing for Housing Europe Project launches with a call for inspirational stories from across Europe BBC StoryWorks, the creative arm of BBC Global News, is to produce a series of mini-documentary style films on housing. Each episode will highlight a case study from the public, cooperative and social housing sector, showing what the future of housing could look like if innovative and progressive solutions become the norm.
Blog 19 May 20 The value of social housing providers in Wales What do we mean when we talk about affordability? This is the third blog post in a series being brought to you by Housing Europe in partnership with some of our member organisations. As announced in the first blog in this series, Housing Europe is partnering with the UNECE to assess housing affordability and highlight best practice as part of a project we are calling #Housing2030. This blog will look at how our Welsh member, Community Housing Cymru (CHC), demonstrates its value as a provider of more than just housing.
Minute 23 Nov 15 Affordability, Sustainability, Liveability Addressing the future challenges for housing Housing Europe participated in the 3rd Europe Housing Forum that took place in Berlin from 18 until 20 November 2015.
Blog 7 Apr 21 Diverse funding ensures housing affordability when public finances 'get a cold' Tune in for the 10th #Housing2030 podcast on finance It has now become a tradition to open up these small conversations to a bigger audience and this episode will make no exception. Join the fourth and final Housing 2030 thematic conference titled ‘Shaping investment pathways to deliver affordable housing’. It is happening on 14th April and you can still reserve your digital seat at www.housingeurope.eu or www.housing2030.org.
Article 18 Nov 20 Tightening EU digital rules can boost housing affordability On 18th November, the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament and the Housing Solutions Platform organised an online webinar to discuss the possibilities for regulating online short-term rentals and how EU rules can unlock housing affordability.
Publication 3 Mar 09 Best practices in tackling housing exclusion and poverty Exchange Series 2009 Special Edition: Best practices in tackling housing exclusion and poverty
News 9 Jun 23 LIVE BLOG: The International Social Housing Festival in Barcelona 2023 The essence from big debates, best practices, challenges, memorable quotes, stats, and impressions This week, 2,100 social and affordable housing providers, policymakers, city representatives, urbanists, architects, researchers, NGOs, and activists took part in the International Social Housing Festival in Barcelona. Housing Europe and peers were live blogging from different corners of the city, reporting about working housing policies, emerging challenges and big question marks, community-led homes, and exhibitions. Follow this thread.
Publication 7 Dec 18 Affordability in housing construction A Research Briefing by the Housing Europe Observatory The Observatory of Housing Europe presents volume 3 of the series 'Housing in the post-2020 EU'. This edition is dedicated to to describing some of the more innovative ways in which housing providers are trying to contain and decrease construction costs.
News 14 Jun 22 The 2022 International Social Housing Festival as it happened Follow this space during the Festival week to receive the latest updates from the Housing Europe team After two years of planning, it was finally showtime. Over 900 public, cooperative, social housing providers, city authorities, EU policymakers, bankers, urbanists, architects, and researchers came to Helsinki to celebrate smart housing policies and discuss how we can overcome the multiple challenges ahead of the sector. The Housing Europe team is organised or co-organised 16 events, and attending events led by our peers. See the Festival through our eyes in this live blog that we run for the whole week.
7 Apr 22 Housing Europe leading or co-organising 16 events during the 3rd International Social Housing Festival Let us walk you through what happens when The 4-day programme of the third International Social Housing Festival is live and registration is open. From the 14th to 17th of June, the social and affordable housing world, policymakers, city networks, urbanists, architects, and academics will aim at finding solutions for new-age youth housing, decarbonisation, homelessness prevention, circularity, data and AI for buildings, green roofs, responsible housing and a lot more. You will also spot exhibitions, a social housing tour, study visits, awards, a short film marathon, and networking opportunities.
Blog 30 Apr 21 Shape the Affordable Housing Initiative EP 4 with Legacoop Abitanti in Italy The Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) - part of the EU Renovation Wave - that will pilot 100 lighthouse renovation districts focuses on creating quality, liveable, affordable homes for people and will mobilise cross-sectoral project partnerships. The initiative is still a blank page, let’s shape it together.
Article 29 Jan 21 Sorcha Edwards: It is crucial that we get the Renovation Wave right and make sure it leaves no one behind The Progressive Housing Week in a nutshell The political group of PES, the Party of European Socialists, has decided to put housing at the top of the agenda for the recovery. To bring up the discussion on housing affordability, between 25th and 29th January, the political family in cooperation with the Socialist and Democrats Group in the European Parliament, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) and the City of Vienna organised a series of inspiring online debates framed by a Progressive Housing Week. Housing Europe has stressed the position of public, cooperative and social housing providers in Europe on several occasions. Let us walk you through.
Blog 24 Jun 14 Learning from each other: Brussels speaks English Scanning innovation in housing policies (2/3) Community Land Trusts use dual tenure legal arrangements to provide permanent affordable housing and improve the liveability of neighbourhoods. This is the 2nd part of our blog series on "innovation in housing policies".
Article 27 Jan 23 Housing Europe's Year of Skills Closing the gap with knowledge on energy poverty alleviation, circularity, and district renovation In 2023, the Housing Europe team is opening a new chapter - boosting the skills of public, cooperative, and social housing providers across Europe by organising a series of real-life and digital trainings.
Blog 29 Sep 21 The New European Bauhaus is all about translating new needs into tangible outcomes in our cities A snapshot of the debate in Italy In the framework of the New European Bauhaus Initiative, the Italian National Committee for Social Housing organised three encounters to foster a debate on the future of housing and its present-day challenges across the Italian territories, calling for more united and adaptive approaches. Eva Sporer from our Italian member, Legacoop Abitanti brings together the key messages from these series of events.
15 Jul 22 The abolition of the tax for Dutch social housing landlords results in immediate commitments to better housing Limited rent increases in the next 3 years, 675.000 insulated homes, and nearly half a million social housing off the gas grid make part of a new agreement in the Netherlands As of 1 January 2023, landlords in the Netherlands will no longer be paying a tax for renting out homes at a rate below 737 euros. For a decade, the famous landlord levy that entered into force back in 2013, has been affecting almost only mission-oriented social housing providers given that privately-rented homes in the country have been drastically exceeding this threshold. Now that the abolition will be a fact in less than six months, Dutch social housing associations will have this operational cash flow back that will allow them to act on multiple fronts. We have spoken with our member, Aedes about a new set of binding performance agreements that set the bar high.
Blog 3 Oct 17 Transparent and efficient social housing The case of the Aedes Benchmark November is an exciting month for social housing providers in the Netherlands. Every year, with a mix of hope and anxiety, it is when the results of the Aedes-Benchmark are published. This year will be the fourth edition after the benchmark was launched in 2014. The benchmark was introduced to make sure social housing corporations stay alert and learn from colleague corporations. It was a reaction to a series of incidents that plagued the sector around 2010. The sector came under public and political pressure to improve its performances and the level of transparency. The benchmark has proven to be a valuable instrument since then.
Blog 6 Jun 17 "Today, we need affordable housing that is also attractive" Ilka Ruby on the paradigm shift in social values that is also reflected in modern architecture Just a week before she delivers the keynote speech at the conference organized by Housing Europe and Aedes as part of the International Social Housing Festival, and only a few days after the official opening of the acclaimed exhibition 'Together! Towards the New Architecture of the Collective' at the Vitra Design Museum- that has been attended by Housing Europe-, Publisher and Curator, Ilka Ruby took time for a quick round of 5 Questions! How does our society change and how is this reflected on Architecture? What is changing in the way we live together? Why is collectivity a recurring theme in history? Have a seat around the table with us for an inspiring exchange with Ilka Ruby...
Minute 14 Jan 15 SLRB presents trends in Brussels private rental market Report from the latest 'Midi du Logement' On the 8th of January, the social housing federation SLRB hosted the first 'midi du logement' of 2015. The lunchtime conference presented a new report on rents in the private rental market in the Brussels region.
Article 30 Sep 24 Malta's Housing Authority homeownership programmes Providing support to almost 1,400 households Housing Europe's partner, the Maltese Housing Authority is making strides in improving housing affordability with a series of homeownership schemes.
News 24 Feb 23 Wanted: the Affordable Housing Initiative Consortium is in search of experts in district renovation and housing providers who are looking for support Respond to the call until March 10, 2023 The Affordable Housing Initiative support programme is now up-and-running, offering you to take a special part in it. Experts with solid experience in successful district renovations will be renumerated to offer a piece of advice, and organisations planning next-generation affordable neighbourhoods can receive help at no cost. This is a win-win call for both sides. Submit your confirmation of interest by March, 10th.
News 4 Mar 22 Official start to the European Affordable Housing Consortium: Sustainable Housing for Social Impact, SHAPE-EU Housing Europe will be coordinating a 2-year project that shapes the envisaged by the Affordable Housing Initiative 100 lighthouse projects As of March 2022, 10 partners have joined efforts to shape the envisaged by the Affordable Housing Initiative 100 lighthouse projects by creating blueprints for a just energy transition with affordability and liveability at its heart.
8 Nov 21 Attractive, acceptable, affordable home renovation combatting energy poverty Our Horizon 2020 project, TripleA-reno has come to an end Our Horizon 2020 project, TripleA-reno sought to make home renovation attractive for consumers and experts, acceptable by occupants and residents, and economically affordable.
Article 5 Mar 21 Features, governance and funding of the European Affordable Housing Initiative and the New European Bauhaus What should we keep in mind? Public, cooperative and social housing providers are definitely at the crossroads of the social, climate and construction goals. This is why the 'Affordable Housing Initiative & the New Bauhaus: Towards a green transition in public, cooperative and social housing' event organised by Housing Europe on 25th February was simultaneously streamed as part of the EU Industry Days and the February run-up to the Social Economy Summit this May.
Article 1 Mar 21 Can renovation with tenants be as easy as a game? Measures that make retrofits attractive, acceptable, and affordable The EU-funded project, TripleA-Reno stands for attractive, acceptable and affordable renovation, meaning a retrofit that is easy to plan and understand, energy and cost-saving, as well as increasing the comfort of living. The goal of the project is to raise awareness and provide guidance on the different phases of the home renovation. To be able to do this online and in full safety, the team met virtually over a boardgame to discuss complex renovation measures and concepts.
Blog 1 Feb 21 The fundamental 'building blocks' of good housing governance Podcast with with Dr Julie Lawson, #Housing2030 Lead Writer and Honorary Associate Professor at RMIT University Welcome to ‘Making a house a home’ - the podcast of Housing Europe, the European federation of public, cooperative and social housing providers. You are listening to the 7th episode of Housing 2030 - the joint international initiative of housing experts from over 56 governments through UNECE and UN-Habitat and 43,000 affordable housing providers represented by Housing Europe. I am Diana Yordanova and I hope you will dive into the ‘new season’ of our Housing 2030 mini-series which will be looking at governance.
Page Housing 2030 Time to think and do differently #Housing 2030 is a joint international initiative of housing experts from over 56 governments through UNECE and UN-Habitat and 43,000 affordable housing providers and neighbourhood developers represented by Housing Europe. It aims to improve the capacity of national and local governments to formulate policies that improve housing affordability and sustainability.
News 6 Feb 20 Getting a taste of how the EU Green Deal looks like in practice Housing Europe showcases to EU Institutions’ Delegation how a Dutch social housing company and local authorities are pushing the frontiers of circular economy Housing Europe organised a field trip to the UIA backed project ‘Superlocal’ in Kerkrade in the Netherlands for a delegation consisting of MEP, Kim Van Sparrentak and European Commission Officials from DG Grow and the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME). Participants had the chance to meet the stakeholders that made this truly innovative, circular social housing project possible, including the Zuyd University (that led the guided tour), HEEM Wonen housing company and the city-region of Parkstad, Limburg.
Minute 2 May 19 Housing Europe inaugurates strategic partnership with the City of Athens Our delegation met key stakeholders on the ground in the Greek capital A delegation of Housing Europe led by our President, Cedric Van Styvendael visited Athens mid-April for a series of meetings aiming to re-establish our network’s contacts with various stakeholders from both the public and the private sector that are trying to shape the new housing reality at the current transitional phase towards a Greek housing policy/scheme eventually. The visit was facilitated by the Greek academic partner of Housing Europe, the University of West Attica, and its Social Administration Research Lab.