Lack of political will
Created on 19-10-2023
The lack of political will to address the problem of affordable housing is more pronounced in Croatia than in Slovenia and Slovakia. As a result, very little is invested in social and public rental housing, leaving low-income people, but also increasingly middle-income people, without housing options: Buying is becoming too expensive and options in the private rental market are scarce due to short-term rental trends – touristification of housing stock. The key to approach this problem is through a transdisciplinary framework to find a balanced approach that is accepted by policy makers and the general public (in this case, homeowners). One approach is to implement “housing for all” strategies where affordable housing has its place, together with measures for the general population. There is an urgent need to understand how to bring homeowners, who are a pressure group protecting their financial interests, politicians, who are reluctant to make a difficult decision, closer to positive change, and to bring to the table CSOs, experts and trade unions who have the experience in facilitation.
System knowledge
Actors
Policy makers
Policy makers are individuals or groups responsible for developing and implementing strategies, regulations, and initiatives aimed at addressing housing-related issues within a given region or jurisdiction. Their primary role is to create policies that influence housing affordability, accessibility, and quality, while also considering social, economic, and environmental factors.
Civil society organisations
Civil society organizations, often abbreviated as CSOs, are non-governmental, non-profit entities formed by citizens to address various social, political, or humanitarian issues. They operate independently from the government and business sectors and play a vital role in advocating for public interests, promoting civic engagement, and providing services or support to underserved communities.
Experts
By experts, I mean individuals with specialized knowledge and experience in areas such as housing policy, urban planning, and affordable housing management. For example, housing policy researchers at a think tank, or city planners with expertise in sustainable housing development can be considered experts in this field.
Local authorities
Local authorities, also known as local governments or municipal governments, are administrative bodies responsible for governing and providing services to specific geographic areas, such as cities, towns, or counties. They manage local public affairs, infrastructure, and policies, and are accountable to the residents within their jurisdiction.
Method
Transdisciplinary approach
A transdisciplinary approach in housing research involves integrating insights, methodologies, and expertise from diverse fields beyond traditional housing studies, such as sociology, economics, architecture, and environmental science, to address complex housing-related issues. This approach seeks to foster holistic, innovative solutions that account for the multifaceted nature of housing challenges and promote collaboration among experts from various domains.
Tools
Framework
A framework is a structured set of guiding principles providing a foundation for understanding, solving problems, or making decisions in a specific context, serving as a fundamental structure to guide processes and actions.
Housing for all
A "housing for all" approach in housing policy is a comprehensive strategy that seeks to ensure that every individual, regardless of their income or background, has access to safe, affordable, and suitable housing. This approach often involves a combination of government policies, subsidies, and private sector incentives to address housing affordability, quality, and inclusivity, with the ultimate goal of reducing homelessness and housing insecurity.
Target knowledge
Topic
Housing policy
Housing policy refers to a set of rules, regulations, and government initiatives designed to address various aspects of housing, including affordability, accessibility, quality, and housing market stability. These policies are developed to guide and influence the housing sector to meet the housing needs of a specific population or region, and they can encompass a wide range of measures, from subsidies and zoning regulations to support for affordable housing and addressing homelessness.
Dimension
Institutional
The structure of government institutions that have the responsibility and power to create building regulation and monitor compliance with them
Social
This dimension relates to aspects influencing or impacting people, communities, and societal structures.
Governance
This involves networks, systems and processes that steer decision-making, service delivery and policy implementation.
Economic
Level
Country
The political structure governs a specific geographical area and accommodates a specific population group.
Municipal
This level refers to the local administrative or governmental unit, typically a city or town, responsible for local governance, services, and decision-making within a defined geographic area.
Transformational knowledge
No references