Vilnius
Vilnius

Vilnius

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Population (AI)

580000

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Last edited
Sep 30, 2024 10:54 PM
Category
Capital
Local programs

In Vilnius, Lithuania, the targets for affordable and sustainable housing are centered around improving housing affordability and energy efficiency. Key challenges include a shortage of affordable housing and a significant gap in housing quality, particularly in energy efficiency. **Local Government Initiatives:** - **Municipal Housing:** Encouraging developers to build more municipal housing at affordable prices for essential workers such as nurses, police officers, and teachers. - **Renovation Programs:** Participating in national programs aimed at renovating multi-apartment buildings to improve energy efficiency, with subsidies and loans covering part of the renovation costs. - **Simplifying Regulations:** Calls for reducing bureaucratic barriers to speed up housing development and improve affordability. **National and European Integration:** - **National Programs:** Lithuania aims to renovate 5,000 multi-apartment buildings by 2030, with funding support for homeowners to upgrade flats. - **European Initiatives:** Alignment with the European Commission’s Affordable Housing Initiative, which supports the renovation and construction of social and affordable housing, promoting energy efficiency and sustainability. - **OECD Recommendations:** Emphasis on strengthening the supply of and access to affordable housing, improving housing quality, and supporting low-income and vulnerable households. These initiatives aim to create more affordable and sustainable housing options in Vilnius, integrating local, national, and European efforts.

Housing Market

**Summary of the Housing Market in Vilnius:** The housing market in Vilnius, Lithuania, has shown signs of recovery and growth. As of May 2024, the number of new housing units in Vilnius stands at 5,534, which is 12% higher than the previous month and 28% higher than at the beginning of the year. - **Total Housing Units:** 5,534 new units as of May 2024. - **Ownership vs. Rental:** The home ownership rate in Lithuania is 88.80% as of December 2023, indicating a high percentage of homeowners compared to renters. - **Median Price per sqm to Buy:** The median price of an apartment for sale is €4,531/m². - **Median Price per sqm to Rent:** Not directly provided in the sources, but the price to rent ratio is 132.18 as of March 2024, suggesting a relatively high rental cost compared to purchase prices. Public, social, and cooperative housing play a role in the city, but specific data on their share in the housing market is not provided in the given sources. However, it is noted that the housing market in Vilnius is primarily driven by private developers, with a focus on new-build apartments and terraced houses. Overall, the housing market in Vilnius is experiencing growth, with an increase in new housing units and a high home ownership rate. However, detailed information on public, social, and cooperative housing is not available in the provided sources.

Further Actors?

In Vilnius, several individuals and organizations could be valuable conversation partners and collaborators for building more affordable and sustainable housing: 1. **Academic Institutions**: - Researchers at Vilnius University, particularly those in urban planning and sociology departments, could provide insights into housing policy and sustainable development. 2. **NGOs**: - **Ethical Housing Vilnius** (LINA community): A non-profit initiative focusing on affordable, socially inclusive, and eco-friendly housing models. - **Renew the City (Atnaujinkime miestą)**: A public institution established by the municipality to implement urban regeneration projects, including energy efficiency upgrades. 3. **Local Administration**: - **Vilnius Municipality**: Officials responsible for urban planning and housing policy could provide insights into current challenges and potential solutions. 4. **Impact Investors**: - **Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB)**: Involved in developing a social and affordable housing program in Lithuania, emphasizing financially sustainable housing systems. 5. **Real Estate Developers**: - **Paleko Arch Studija**: Known for sustainable housing developments that blend into natural surroundings, such as the forested site project on the outskirts of Vilnius. 6. **Architecture Firms**: - **Paleko Arch Studija**: Specializes in sustainable and environmentally friendly architectural designs. 7. **Housing Cooperatives**: - **Baugruppen**-inspired initiatives: Ethical Housing Vilnius draws inspiration from German cooperative housing models like Baugruppen, which could be explored further. These entities can offer diverse perspectives and expertise to foster more affordable and sustainable housing in Vilnius.

Cooperatives

In Vilnius, Lithuania, housing cooperatives played a significant role in addressing the housing shortage during the Soviet era. These cooperatives, known as "ŽSK" (Zhilishchno Stroitel’nyi Kollektiv), were reintroduced in 1962 to provide an alternative to state-owned housing. Residents contributed financially to the construction process, allowing them to bypass long waiting lists for state housing. Historically, Lithuania had a higher percentage of cooperative housing compared to the Soviet average, peaking at 18.7% of all new housing construction in 1970 and 1973. However, specific data on the current market share and number of cooperatives in Vilnius is not readily available. Recent information on new housing cooperatives or lighthouse projects in Vilnius is limited. However, the concept of cooperative housing is still relevant in Lithuania, with discussions on social cooperatives and their potential in various sectors, including housing. There is no mention of specific programs or financial support from the city of Vilnius for cooperative housing in the provided sources. However, the broader European context highlights the importance of cooperative housing models, emphasizing their affordability, stability, and democratic governance.