The Affordable Housing Initiative promotes innovative and sustainable social housing.
The Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) is a flagship program under the New European Bauhaus (NEB) that aims to ensure social and affordable housing facilities benefit from the Renovation Wave strategy. The strategic focus areas of AHI include: 1. **Piloting 100 Lighthouse Renovation and Construction Districts**: These districts will incorporate smart neighborhood approaches, focusing on energy efficiency, liveability, and innovation. 2. **Cross-Sectoral Partnerships**: AHI promotes collaboration among social economy entities, SMEs, local authorities, housing associations, investors, and civil society. 3. **Innovative Processes**: The initiative supports the use of circular and modular building, renewable energy production, and engagement models to empower residents and local communities. AHI has access to various financial resources, including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which allocates 8% to strengthening sustainable urban development. The typical project financing amount is not specified, but it varies depending on the project scope and requirements. To receive funding, projects must align with the AHI's objectives and demonstrate innovative approaches to affordable housing. Recent projects financed include the European Affordable Housing Consortium (SHAPE-EU), drOp, and ProLight, which focus on creating replicable models for energy-efficient and socially inclusive housing districts across Europe.