Palazzo del Carbone is a student housing project that was recently completed in Reggio Emilia, Italy and is part of a plan to regenerate the historical centre of Reggio Emilia. Housing Europe Research Coordinator, Dr. Agata Krause visited the site and reports.

Every month we introduce you to one of the people leading the work of our member organisations. In this edition, we took the train to nearby Antwerp to welcome the Director of our newest member, VVH, Björn Mallants to the Housing Europe family. Björn introduces the organisation, gives us information about the perception of housing in Flanders and shares some thoughts about the current challenges at national and regional level. Plus, as usual, he presents his own way to strike a good life-work balance.

In a city where monthly rent can easily exceed 1.500 Euros while the overall living costs are among the highest in the world* affordable housing alternatives are crucial for many people who otherwise would be confronted with social exclusion. What forms does the response to these needs take in Geneva? Housing Europe members paid a visit to a cooperative and to a student housing project that provide solid proof about the balancing impact of affordable alternatives on a saturated housing market.