Preparation of the UNECE policy brief on social housing

UNECE

Models, challenges and trends in social housing in the UNECE region

Orna Rosenfeld, UNECE Senior Housing Expert

UNECE

Models, challenges and trends in social housing in the UNECE region

Orna Rosenfeld, UNECE Senior Housing Expert

Structure of the presentation:

Policy brief and research rationale Planned contribution Resources and time frame Research strategy Elements of the policy brief evidence base Progress up to date Discussion points: implications to the Charter

UNECE

Models, challenges and trends in social housing in the UNECE region The social housing policy and its funding mechanisms are going through significant reassessment across the UNECE region. Therefore, the examination of current trends, challenges as well as innovations is of crucial importance. The research ‘Models, challenges and trends in social housing in the UNECE region’ examines recent changes in the sector and directions for the future.

Orna Rosenfeld, UNECE Senior Housing Expert

UNECE

Models, challenges and trends in social housing in the UNECE region The UNECE policy brief is envisaged to provide recommendations for specific groups of stakeholders, including national authorities, international organizations, local governments and private sector organizations. It will cover among other issues ongoing discussions in the region, social housing definitions, models, challenges and trends in provision of social and affordable housing in the UNECE region.

Orna Rosenfeld, UNECE Senior Housing Expert

UNECE

Models, challenges and trends in social housing in the UNECE region The research aims to: To provide the evidence base for the UNECE policy

brief on social housing. To inform the negotiations on the Charter on

Sustainable Housing. To support the UNECE ‘Strategy for Sustainable

Housing and Land Management in the ECE region for the period of 2014-2020’.

Orna Rosenfeld, UNECE Senior Housing Expert

The time frame of the research 63 days from 24th of March till 30th of October.

Designed and conducted by the principal author. Supported part time by one intern.

Supervised by Chief of the Unit and the Committee Secretary.

Secondary data and peer review of drafts UN-Habitat, UNEP, CECODHAS.

The research engages directly with the UNECE member state representatives involved in social housing policy making in their countries, and selected representatives of private, public and third sectors. In doing so it provides a unique qualitative insight while building a robust evidence base through triangulation with quantitative data and relevant literature.

Time The engagement with leaders in the social housing field is of crucial importance to understand, support and act upon issues they consider vital.

Context The national housing systems are culturally specific, context depended and take

different forms in different countries. Definition The research recognizes and embraces the diverse interpretations of the term

across the UNECE region (UNECE, 2003, 2006, Whitehead, 2006, 2007). Open ended The qualitative approach enables the country representatives to present key

issues that are the most relevant in their specific context, while providing their own interpretation of social housing in their country.

An integral part of a housing system In order to accommodate the diversity of forms and variety interpretations,

‘social housing’ is conceptualised as an integral part of national housing systems, that influences and is influenced by other housing tenures.

Task Progress up to date (24th March – 24th of April)

In Process Next Steps

UNECE Workshop Feb. 2014

Identified key messages of the UNECE Workshop (Feb.2014). See summary of the report.

Done Done

Qualitative Interviews

19 interviews completed with: •Government representatives •Customer representatives •Professional Bodies •Housing Federations •International Banks

Analysis in process.

To complete up to 10 additional interviews. Complete the analysis.

Literature Review

Over 135 publications identified and overviewed.

Analysis of the publications. Referencing.

Additional literature for number of countries.

Mapping Activities

Following initiatives: OECD, EHRIN, EU Commission

Engagement with ENHR CECODHAS.

UN-Habitat. UNEP, UNCHR, ILO.

Statistical Data

Contributed the UNECE survey questionnaire design.

Collection from CECODHAS.

Key source: UNECE survey 2014.

The UNECE workshop was held on the 4th and 5th of

February 2014.

It provided a platform to bring together a diverse group of experts to discuss current issues affecting social and affordable housing policy, exchange views, and identify actions required.

Discussion focused on the impact of the global financial crisis on housing affordability, the responses of different governments, and ways to increase social housing provision.

The policy brief will use the outcomes of the workshop presentations and discussion as an important part of its qualitative evidence base.

The summary of the report is now available online at: http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/hlm/prgm/hmm/social%20h

ousing/geneva2014/2014.social.housing.report.pdf

The UNECE survey ‘Challenges and priorities in the area of sustainable

housing and urban development in the ECE region’ provides a wide coverage of issues related to the sustainable urban development.

The present study provides an in-depth examination of the current challenges, trends and future directions in social housing in the ECE region.

The role of statistical information in this research is to verify and support the messages arising from qualitative data. 1) Selected data from the UNECE

survey relevant to social housing.

2) CECODHAS data. 3) Other: Suggestions for other sources

of relevant statistical data are welcome.

The research is envisaged to contribute and expand the UNECE’s literature on social housing published in 2003 (Prague), 2005 (Vienna), 2006.

It builds on UNECE literature and those of the selected partners UNECE, UN-Habitat, CECODHAS and available academic literature on social housing.

Over 135 publications reviewed to date.

In order to avoid duplication of data and ensure that the efforts are mutually supportive where relevant the research reviews activities of other networks.

Selected key activities 2013/4: OECD –Survey of Affordable and Social Housing. Focuses on housing subsidy

mechanisms for owner occupation, private and social rent. European Commission suggesting common definition for social housing in

the EU and European Court of Justice ruling on the Dutch case of universal social housing, challenges the definition of social housing the EU.

In preparation: “Joint Declaration on Responsible Housing” and a “CSR Code

of Conduct” for housing providers, put together by: CECODHAS, IUT, COFACE, Solidar, RICS, the city of Vienna, the European Investment Bank etc).

Interviewed Planned Suggested

Country Representatives

Albania, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Finland, Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia

Belarus, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Russia (Israel, Italy)

Spain, Germany

Professional Associations and Housing Federations

L’Union Sociale pour Habitat – France Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors – UK NAHRO(2) - United States of America

Done USA Gov. Housing Dept.

Social Housing Customers:

International Union of Tenants (2) Done EHRIN

EU Banks

European investment Bank (2) CEB, EBRD None

Private Sector: Private Sector:

(suggested) (suggested) Private Investors Private Developers

Total interviewed: 19 (24th March – 8th April) Total: 5-8 (May) Total: 3-6 (May)

UNECE

Policy Brief

UNECE

MAY Second phase of interviews Analysis and triangulation of data

JUNE First draft for comments

JULY Second draft for comments

AUGUST Policy brief submission

OCTOBER Presentation of the results at the 75th Session of the Committee in October Publication of the research and the policy brief

Literature and peer review

Affordable and social housing provision Rationale: Lack of access to decent affordable housing challenges fulfilment of other human rights. Housing crisis affects both East and West frontiers of the UNECE region, it affects not only the efforts for social inclusion but local economic performance.

Comments and suggestions on the proposed research Potential considerations for the UNECE Charter

Residual Generalist Universal

Vulnerable households. Households bellow an income threshold

Households with a wide range of income levels.

Potential considerations for the UNECE Charter

• Financial and economic sustainability and transparency

• Governance and partnership working

• Knowledge exchange and housing education

Models, challenges and trends in social housing in the UNECE region

Dr. Orna Rosenfeld, UNECE Senior Housing Expert

Thank you! UNECE