Finance and housing are both crucial for the functioning and wealth of our societies. However, they can form an explosive mix for our economies. The financial crisis clearly unveiled this. Two trends explain this. First, housing gradually lost its initial function: provide a home to households. Gradually it became a financial commodity. Secondly, the financialization of economies led to a disconnect between financial assets and societal needs In the real economy. Things are evolving, however. There is a now a new movement in the financial sector that explicitly wants to direct more financial means towards impactful investments for society. An excellent opportunity to remarry finance and (affordable) housing.

In a country that faces an overall housing shortage, the youth is one of the population groups that are struck the most. Housing Europe Swedish, cooperative member, Riksbyggen has taken an initiative in Göteborg that may prove to be a game changer.

Every month we introduce you to one of the people leading the work of our member organisations. In this edition, we take a trip to Belfast to meet Alan Shannon, the new Chair of our member, NIFHA. Alan presents the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations, gives us information about the perception of housing in N. Ireland and shares some thoughts about the current challenges at national level. Plus, as usual, he reveals his secret recipe for a good life-work balance.