Construction halts and affordability challenges in Norway

This situation has led to an increase in the number of individuals seeking shelter, highlighting the urgent need for solutions. Moreover, the market for owner-occupied housing according to the country's largest housing developer, OBOS has become prohibitively expensive, leaving many without viable options. Responsibility for remedying these challenges rests heavily on municipal authorities, which find themselves navigating an increasingly uncertain market landscape.

These are our main takeaways from the housing seminar which was held in Brussels on September 24. The session was organised by the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities and the Mission of Norway to the EU. The seminar also featured EU officials from the Commission's department responsible for employment, social affairs and inclusion, who also emphasised the risks of using the term "affordable" at the EU level, given the diverse systems across Member States.