Social Housing in Europe

Abstract:

The European Union has no direct competence in the field of housing policy, at least not as it is conventionally defined. Housing issues have however become increasingly important across the Union, especially since the global financial crisis.

As a result EU policy has impinged more heavily on the operation of both private and social housing systems. This analysis presents some of the most important questions regarding social housing in countries across Europe: Who lives in the sector and under what terms and conditions? It also discusses some of the incentives behind this development as well as implications for the future.