Vocabulary

A precise and definitive definition of environmentally sustainable social housing remains elusive. Instead, it encompasses a bundle of interrelated terms such as low-impact buildings, sustainable buildings and environmentally responsible buildings, all of which are interwoven with the characteristics of social housing and its policy and development. This review examines the theoretical underpinnings of social housing and environmental sustainability at the EU level, outlines the challenges of integrating sustainability into housing and proposes an overarching definition of environmentally sustainable social housing.   Social housing narratives Elsinga (2012) explains that social housing in the European Union is broadly described as a set of initiatives to provide high-quality and affordable housing for disadvantaged and middle-income groups, usually managed by public authorities (Elsinga, 2012). In the UK and the Netherlands, however, the management of social housing has largely been entrusted to non-profit organisations. This approach contrasts with that in Germany and Spain, where public subsidies are provided to commercial landlords in exchange for a fixed social rent and thus constitute a form of social housing. Granath Hansson and Lundgren (2019) further note that the historical development of social housing in the EU has involved a significant transfer of responsibility from local authorities to non-municipal providers, albeit under highly regulated practices such as the UK's managerialist approach (Granath Hansson & Lundgren, 2019). Priemus (2013) offers a definition that emphasises the regulatory framework and the role of the public sector in regulating social housing (Priemus, 2013). This definition identifies the target group as households unable to compete in the private housing market due to financial, physical or mental health problems or belonging to an ethnic minority or immigrant group. Bengtsson (2017), adopting a target group perspective, characterises social housing as a "system" designed to provide housing to resource-constrained households, with the requirement for their needs to be confirmed (Bengtsson, 2017). Although there is no universally accepted definition of social housing, it can be assumed that social housing functions as a system that supports households with limited financial resources by providing long-term accommodation. This system requires a mechanism to assess the needs of the target groups, ensuring that the housing is provided as a subsidy and not as a self-sustaining unit. Consequently, rents or prices within this system must be affordable and below market prices.   Environmental sustainability narratives While there is no definitive definition of environmental sustainability specific to the EU in the literature, several scholars have contributed to understanding this concept from a global perspective and thus influenced its interpretation at the EU level. Notable contributions include those by Hey (2005), Portney (2015), Purvis et al. (2019) and Morelli (2011). Purvis et al. (2019) emphasise that environmental sustainability results from describing environmental protection goals and their interrelationships with broader concepts of the built environment. Environmental sustainability has evolved into a dynamic and multidisciplinary concept that is closely linked to concepts such as resilience, durability and renewability. Morelli (2011) states that environmental sustainability can be applied at different levels and encompasses tangible and intangible aspects (Morelli, 2011). Portney (2015) argues that environmental sustainability goals include conserving natural resources, improving people’s well-being, and promoting industrial efficiency without compromising societal development. The contemporary approach to implementing sustainability focuses on reducing the resource consumption of buildings (such as water and energy) and minimising waste production while improving the quality of the built environment. This approach goes beyond individual buildings and extends to the urban fabric of cities (Berardi, 2012; McLennan, 2004). The EU's approach to environmental sustainability is reflected in its directives, policies, initiatives and guidelines. An example of these initiatives is the European Green Deal (EC, 2019), which aims for a carbon-neutrality across Europe by 2050 while promoting sustainable economic growth (Fetting, 2020; Siddi, 2020). In addition, the EU emphasises the importance of integrating environmental concerns into various policy areas, including energy, transport, agriculture and industry. The EU Circular Economy Action Plan, for example, promotes an economy that minimises waste and supports sustainable consumption and production patterns (EC, 2020). Overall, the EU's approach to environmental sustainability emphasises the need for a comprehensive, integrated, and long-term perspective (Hermoso et al., 2022; Johansson, 2021). This approach considers the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability and emphasises the importance of international cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges (Fetting, 2020; Hermoso et al., 2022; Siddi, 2020).   Integration imperatives and its challenges The realisation of environmentally sustainable social housing presents numerous challenges. The initial investment in sustainable building technologies and materials is often considerable, especially given the limited funds available for social housing projects. Compliance with ever-evolving environmental regulations further complicates the delivery of sustainable social housing. Consequently, there is an urgent need to adapt sustainable practices to different scales of social housing projects, which requires careful planning and adaptation to the specific needs and context of different developments (Oyebanji, 2014). Despite these challenges, the field of sustainable social housing offers significant opportunities for innovation and improvement. Technological progress continuously offers more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable solutions (IEA, 2022). In addition, robust policy frameworks and incentives are crucial for the adoption of sustainable practices (Fetting, 2020). Another crucial element is the active participation of different stakeholders in the design and maintenance of housing, which can significantly improve both sustainability and social cohesion (Shirazi & Keivani, 2019).   The way forward Environmentally Sustainable social housing is becoming increasingly important as it represents both a possible future and an ambitious goal. It envisions an environmentally responsible housing sector without compromising its development capacity (Morgan & Talbot, 2001; Oyebanji, 2014; Winston, 2021). It aims to create housing that minimises its environmental footprint, promotes the well-being of its residents and provides affordable housing opportunities. It also aims to meet the housing needs of vulnerable and low-income groups while promoting sustainable development and addressing climate and environmental issues (Udomiaye et al., 2018).