Dr. Max-Christopher Krapp, Martin Vaché, Prof. Dr. Björn Egner & others
Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR)
2022
## 📄 Context and Authors The report "Housing Policies in the EU" was published in April 2022 by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR), on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB). This publication is part of the research program "Experimental Housing and Urban Development (ExWoSt)" and involves contributions from researchers at the Institute for Housing and the Environment (IWU) and the Institute of Political Science at TU Darmstadt. Key authors include Dr. Max-Christopher Krapp, Martin Vaché, Prof. Dr. Björn Egner, Prof. Dr. Kai Schulze, and Samantha Thomas. ## 🏘️ Diversity in Housing Systems The report emphasizes the diversity of housing systems across EU member states, identifying four main groups based on their housing provision systems. These include Diversified Systems, which balance rental and owner-occupied markets; Two-Tier Systems, characterized by predominantly owner-occupied housing with a smaller rental market; Owner-Dominated Systems, which focus heavily on owner-occupation with minimal public rental options; and Post-Communist Transformation Countries, where privatization has led to limited formal rental supply and notable informal letting. ## 💼 Policy Instruments Common policy instruments across the EU include housing allowances, subsidies for homeowners, and subsidized housing initiatives. Rent regulation is more common in Western EU countries, with a significant emphasis on promoting homeownership through various subsidies. ## ⚠️ Challenges and Drivers The report identifies key challenges such as rising prices and rents in urban areas, a lack of social housing, and energy poverty. Influencing factors in housing policy decisions include energy efficiency, urbanization, immigration, and demographic shifts. ## 📉 Financial Crisis Impact The 2008 financial crisis had varying impacts on EU housing markets. Some countries experienced severe recessions due to interconnectedness between housing, finance, and the economy, while others faced primarily supply shortages and affordability issues. ## 🇪🇺 EU Impact and Governance The report discusses the EU's influence on national housing policies, especially regarding energy efficiency and social housing, although a comprehensive EU-wide housing policy remains absent. Governance structures differ significantly across member states, and there is no clear correlation between governance type and housing policy outcomes, reflecting a varied willingness to reform housing policies. ## 🌍 Conclusion This study offers an extensive overview of EU housing policies, emphasizing the necessity for tailored solutions to address the unique challenges faced by different nations. It advocates for a "learning from abroad" approach to encourage international dialogue and policy exchange, with shared themes like energy efficiency and urbanization shaping housing policies throughout the EU.
Summary of "Housing Policies in the EU"
Context and Authors
The report "Housing Policies in the EU" was published in April 2022 by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB). The project was part of the research program "Experimental Housing and Urban Development (ExWoSt)" and involved researchers from the Institute for Housing and the Environment (IWU), Darmstadt, and TU Darmstadt, Institute of Political Science. Key authors include Dr. Max-Christopher Krapp, Martin Vaché, Prof. Dr. Björn Egner, Prof. Dr. Kai Schulze, and Samantha Thomas.
Key Findings
- Diversity in Housing Systems: The report highlights the diversity in housing systems across EU member states, ranging from balanced rental and owner-occupied markets to predominantly owner-occupied markets. Four main groups of housing provision systems are identified:
- Diversified Systems: Balanced between rental and owner-occupied housing, with significant institutional providers in the rental sector.
- Two-Tier Systems: Predominantly owner-occupied with a smaller rental market based on private letting.
- Owner-Dominated Systems: Strong emphasis on owner-occupation with marginal public or social rental housing.
- Post-Communist Transformation Countries: Characterized by privatization, with a marginal formal rental supply but significant informal letting.
- Policy Instruments: Common policy instruments include housing allowances, subsidies for homeowners, and subsidized housing. Rent regulation is more prevalent in Western EU countries. There is a notable emphasis on promoting homeownership through subsidies.
- Challenges and Drivers: Key challenges include price and rent increases in urban areas, lack of social housing, and energy poverty. Drivers of housing policy decisions include energy efficiency, urbanization, immigration, and demographic changes.
- Financial Crisis Impact: The 2008 financial crisis affected EU housing markets differently. Some countries experienced severe recession due to interdependencies between housing, finance, and the economy, while others faced mainly supply shortages and affordability issues.
- EU Impact: The report notes the EU's influence on national housing policies, particularly in areas like energy efficiency and social housing. However, there is a lack of comprehensive EU-wide housing policy.
- Governance and Reform: Governance structures vary significantly across member states, with no clear correlation between governance type and housing policy outcomes. The willingness to reform housing policies also varies widely.
Conclusion
The study provides a comprehensive overview of EU housing policies, highlighting the need for tailored solutions to address diverse national challenges. It encourages a "learning from abroad" approach to foster international discussion and policy exchange. Despite differences, common themes such as energy efficiency and urbanization are shaping housing policies across the EU.