European Affordable Housing Consortium
European Affordable Housing Consortium (SHAPE-EU)
2024
🏛️ Context and Publication The "D3.3 Access to Funding Handbook" was published in May 2024 by the European Affordable Housing Consortium (SHAPE-EU) as part of Work Package 3 of their project. This consortium, funded by the European Union's Single Market Programme, aims to support social and affordable housing initiatives across Europe. The handbook serves as a vital resource for housing providers, municipalities, SMEs, and other stakeholders involved in the renovation of social and affordable housing. 💰 Overview of Funding Options The handbook offers a comprehensive overview of various funding and financing options available for social and affordable housing renovation projects, particularly at the district level. It details several EU funding mechanisms, including repayable finance options such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility loans and the Just Transition Mechanism, which provide crucial financial support for sustainable housing projects. 📈 Leveraging Investments Additionally, the handbook discusses funding sources designed to leverage private investments, such as Cohesion Policy Financial Instruments and the European Energy Efficiency Fund. Grant schemes, including Cohesion Policy funds and Horizon Europe, are highlighted as essential resources. The document also includes technical assistance facilities to aid applicants in navigating the funding landscape. 🔍 Funding Source Details For each funding source, the handbook provides a general description, opportunities specifically for social and affordable housing renovation, and detailed application procedures. This structured approach allows stakeholders to understand the potential of each funding option and how to access it effectively. 🌍 Alignment with EU Policy The handbook emphasizes the necessity of aligning housing renovation projects with EU policy objectives and climate goals to enhance funding opportunities. This alignment is crucial as it not only maximizes potential funding but also ensures that projects contribute positively to broader sustainability targets. ♻️ Focus on Energy Efficiency Moreover, the handbook notes a significant shift towards energy efficiency and sustainability within EU funding programs for the 2021-2027 period. This reflects the increasing recognition of the importance of sustainable practices in housing renovations, which aligns with the EU's broader commitment to combat climate change. 📚 Case Studies and Guidance Throughout the document, case studies and practical examples illustrate successful applications of different funding mechanisms in housing projects. Additionally, it provides guidance on navigating the complex EU funding landscape and accessing resources via national managing authorities, making it a vital tool for stakeholders aiming to implement effective financial strategies.
This document is the "D3.3 Access to Funding Handbook" published in May 2024 by the European Affordable Housing Consortium (SHAPE-EU) as part of Work Package 3 of their project. The Consortium received funding from the European Union's Single Market Programme.
Key findings and content:
- The handbook provides a comprehensive overview of funding and financing options available for social and affordable housing renovation projects in Europe, with a focus on district-level initiatives.
- It covers various EU funding mechanisms including:
- Repayable finance options like the Recovery and Resilience Facility loans and the Just Transition Mechanism
- Funding to leverage private investments such as Cohesion Policy Financial Instruments and the European Energy Efficiency Fund
- Grant schemes like Cohesion Policy funds and Horizon Europe
- Technical assistance facilities
- For each funding source, the handbook provides:
- A general description
- Opportunities for social and affordable housing renovation
- Application procedures
- The document emphasizes the importance of aligning housing renovation projects with EU policy objectives and climate goals to maximize funding opportunities.
- It highlights the shift towards using financial instruments and blending different funding sources to increase impact and leverage private investment.
- Case studies and examples are provided throughout to illustrate how different funding mechanisms have been used successfully for housing projects.
- The handbook notes the increased focus on energy efficiency and sustainability in EU funding programs for the 2021-2027 period.
- It provides guidance on navigating complex EU funding landscapes and accessing resources through national managing authorities.
Context: This handbook was created to help housing providers, municipalities, SMEs and other stakeholders plan financial strategies and find suitable funding sources for renovating social and affordable housing. It is part of the European Affordable Housing Consortium's efforts to support the implementation of the EU's Affordable Housing Initiative and Renovation Wave strategy. The document aims to make EU funding opportunities more accessible and understandable for those working on housing renovation projects.