Social housing in the Czech republic, Poland and Slovakia

Martin Lux

Abstract:

This article is based on comparative description of the development of social housing sector in three transitional countries during 90's. The several features of social housing in the EU countries are mentioned to formulate the indicators serving as the methodological base for critical evaluation of the development in the sphere of social housing in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. The indicators reflect mainly the social targeting of supply and demand side housing subsidies and the existence or quality of new legislation on social housing operation in these countries. The brief description of housing reforms, changes in tenure structure and social consequences of slow process of transformation of rental housing is added. Though many problems remain unsolved the situation in Poland seems to be the most promising in comparison with other two countries because the new legislation allowed new social housing construction and old housing policy measures were adopted to be more targeted on households in real social need. On contrary, the low standard of "social housing" legislation and the maintenance of non-targeted rent regulation in the Czech Republic and Slovakia do not contribute to higher financial affordability of housing of lower income households.

Key words: social housing, transitional housing policy, comparative studies.