Julie Lawson, Michelle Norris, Holger Wallbaum & others
UNECE
2021
Here is an extensive summary of the key points from the attached report š Context and Purpose The #Housing2030 report, published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), UN-Habitat, and Housing Europe, aims to address housing affordability challenges within the UNECE region. This joint initiative focuses on exchanging best practices among countries and cities to enhance housing affordability. The principal authors, Julie Lawson, Michelle Norris, and Holger Wallbaum, have contributed valuable insights into effective policy solutions for affordable housing. š Key Findings The report identifies several critical areas for improving housing affordability: 1. Governance: Effective governance is essential for shaping housing systems. Key governance tools highlighted include strategic frameworks, building institutional capacity, and multi-level governance coordination. The report emphasizes the importance of setting and monitoring housing standards, evidence-based policymaking, and tenant involvement. 2. Finance and Investment: Financial tools are vital for promoting affordable housing. This includes regulating financial institutions, providing rent subsidies, and utilizing microfinance. The report discusses various funding mechanisms such as public loans, interest rate subsidies, and shared equity schemes, all aimed at enhancing housing investment. 3. Land Policy: Effective land policy tools are crucial for affordable housing development. Strategies such as public land banking, land value capture, and inclusionary zoning are explored to optimize land use and increase housing supply. 4. Climate-Neutral Housing: The importance of climate-neutral policies is underscored, with recommendations for energy performance regulations and financial incentives for energy efficiency improvements. š Customization of Policies The report stresses that there is no universal solution to housing challenges; instead, countries must tailor policies to their specific contexts and needs. Multi-level governance and partnerships among national, regional, and local governments are essential for successful implementation. š Evidence-Based Policymaking Robust housing data and indicators are crucial for designing effective interventions. The report advocates for clear housing standards and compliance monitoring to improve housing quality and affordability. š” Conclusion The #Housing2030 report outlines a comprehensive array of governance, finance, land policy, and climate-related tools for enhancing housing affordability. It emphasizes the significance of good governance, partnerships, and dedicated affordable housing providers in creating inclusive and sustainable housing systems across the UNECE region.
UNECE & 
Housing Europe
Here is an extensive summary of the key points from the attached report
Title: #Housing2030: Effective policies for affordable housing in the UNECE region
Authors: This report was produced as a joint initiative between the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), UN-Habitat, and Housing Europe. The principal authors were Julie Lawson, Michelle Norris, and Holger Wallbaum.
Published: 2021
Context: This report was developed as part of the #Housing2030 initiative to explore housing affordability challenges and policy solutions in the UNECE region. It aims to facilitate the exchange of good practices for improving housing affordability among countries and cities in the region.
Key Findings:
- Governance is crucial for shaping effective housing systems. The report outlines key governance tools including:
- Strategic frameworks and housing strategies
- Building institutional capacity
- Multi-level governance coordination
- Setting and monitoring housing standards
- Evidence-based policymaking
- Supervision and accountability measures
- Dedicated social/affordable housing providers
- Tenant and resident involvement
- Finance and investment tools are essential for affordable housing, including:
- Regulating financial institutions
- Non-profit housing provision
- Rent subsidies and regulation
- Microfinance for housing
- Public loans and investment
- Interest rate subsidies and loan guarantees
- Special purpose financial intermediaries
- Shared equity schemes
- Revolving funds for affordable housing
- Taxation to guide housing investment
- Land policy tools are critical, such as:
- Public land banking
- Public land leasing
- Land readjustment
- Land value capture
- Comprehensive planning
- Inclusionary zoning
- Land value taxation
- Climate-neutral housing policies are important, including:
- Energy performance regulations
- Financial incentives for energy efficiency
- Awareness raising and training
- The report emphasizes there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution. Countries need to adapt policies to their specific contexts and housing system needs.
- Multi-level governance and partnerships between national, regional and local governments are key for effective implementation.
- Setting clear housing standards and monitoring compliance is crucial for improving housing quality and affordability.
- Evidence-based policymaking using robust housing data and indicators is essential for designing effective interventions.
- Dedicated social and affordable housing providers play an important role in many countries for expanding affordable housing supply.
- The report provides numerous case studies and examples of policy tools being successfully implemented across the UNECE region.
In summary, this comprehensive report outlines a wide range of governance, finance, land policy and climate-related tools that policymakers can adapt to improve housing affordability in their local contexts. It emphasizes the importance of good governance, partnerships, evidence, and dedicated affordable housing providers in creating more inclusive and sustainable housing systems.