Governance and finance

The SUPER-i project was created in order to improve access to funding for the social housing sector for energy efficiency refurbishment.

EqualHouse is a research project that aims to identify key housing inequalities across Europe, analyze their scale and causes, and provide guidance for policymakers.

The Affordable Housing Initiative European Partnership, will extend support to 35 new lighthouse districts, leveraging the established network to drive the Renovation Wave.

The project was designed as a rapid response to the Syrian refugee crisis, providing homes in sustainable communities for displaced families in urgent need of housing. It combined humanitarian action with long-term integration by delivering affordable housing through partnerships with the Irish Red Cross and local authorities. The approach also focused on ensuring that new housing was embedded in sustainable communities, supporting stability and long-term inclusion for refugee families.

Fundació Hàbitat3 works to guarantee the right to decent housing for people in vulnerable situations by collaborating with social organisations and public administrations. The Llar Casa Bloc project transforms a former nursing home into 17 housing units for people at risk of exclusion, combining rehabilitation with social support to encourage independent living. It promotes social inclusion and cohesion through mixed housing, transparent allocation to social organisations, and a public–social–private collaboration model, while also raising awareness about the value of rehabilitating historically significant buildings for social housing purposes.

Barcelona’s Framework Agreement between the City and the social and cooperative housing sector seeks to increase the supply of permanently affordable housing in the city while developing a shared governance structure that allows for increased resident involvement in the design and management of the housing stock.

“Milano 2035 - The Youth Housing Coalition” was founded to increase the Milanese metropolitan area’s capacity for housing solutions tailored to the needs of young people, increasing the number of 18–35-year-olds who can move to Milan or who already reside in the city , can live independently from their families of origin. It is a network comprising 30 public and private entities.

Environmentally speaking, the project aimed at increasing the resilience of the urban area, using eco-friendly components and materials; to lower the heat island effect, and fight energy poverty. Villaggio Grandusio also set an objective to solve issues of use of indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as to assign concrete functionalities to shared spaces. To boost the community spirit, the project managers wanted to create an identity for the available spaces, improve the attractiveness of the area, increase the sense of belonging and raise awareness of the need to take care of common areas.

Himmerland Boligforening’s project aims to physically and socially transform a vulnerable urban district by improving tenants’ quality of life through renovation combined with strong community development. Rather than relying solely on technical upgrades, the housing organisation uses a bottom-up approach that actively involves tenants as co-planners alongside the municipality, local businesses, and associations. The goal is to create a more inclusive and cohesive neighbourhood, strengthen local opportunities, and foster stronger social relations, guided by a shared vision of “the good life” in the district.

Can Fabra transforms a former industrial warehouse in Barcelona’s Fabra & Coats complex into 46 public rental housing units for young people aged 18–35, including artist residencies managed by the Barcelona Institute of Culture. Part of a broader urban regeneration project, it combines affordable housing with cultural and community facilities, featuring shared spaces that encourage social interaction. The design preserves historic façades while introducing a low-impact timber structure, recycled material and ultimanetely achives A energy rating.

The eco-Village des Noés in Val de Reuil is a sustainable urban development project featuring 98 passive housing units, shared services, and community facilities. Developed in a former “new town” area, the project reconnects the city with its natural surroundings while drawing on its agricultural and social heritage. It promotes a more environmentally respectful way of living, integrating housing, nature, and community life in a long-term vision for sustainable urban growth.

The project involves a deep energy retrofit of 184 housing units in the Vogelweelde neighbourhood in Halle, Flanders, aiming to reduce energy poverty and meet regulatory standards in a cost-effective way. It integrates design, construction, quality control, and advanced energy monitoring to ensure that actual energy savings are achieved. A key focus is strong resident involvement throughout continuous communication and support. Alongside technical improvements, the project enhances shared outdoor spaces and community areas, contributing to a more liveable and sustainable neighbourhood.

The project in the San José neighbourhood of Langreo (Asturias) aims to improve residents’ quality of life through the renovation of ageing public housing. Key objectives include reducing energy costs and CO₂ emissions, tackling energy poverty, and enhancing living conditions by improving thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and eliminating humidity issues. It also focuses on increasing accessibility, minimising future maintenance costs, and fostering tenants’ ecological awareness by involving them in the process.

The project focuses on converting an office building in Paris’s 15th district into a 139-unit student residence using bio-based materials and circular economy principles. Its main goal is to expand the supply of high-quality, affordable housing for students, particularly those with limited financial resources.

Fold Housing’s objective is to provide affordable homes and enable residents to age and thrive in their communities. Fold pursues an approach of ‘building communities’ and invests in community services and regeneration, providing support to vulnerable people and reinvesting their income into delivering social and community support. The New Dolphin Park is a regeneration project and an example of Fold’s continued commitment to promoting community development.

The ToM – “Tolerantes Miteinander” project in Berlin-Köpenick was developed to provide a long-term housing solution that fosters integration between refugees and local residents. Moving beyond temporary shelters, the initiative creates a mixed neighbourhood where people from different cultural backgrounds live together as neighbours.

This project’s goal is to provide permanent, secure, and affordable housing for elderly homeless individuals and couples in small, high-quality public rental units. The initiative also provides social work support to ease the transition from mostly long periods – sometimes decades – of homelessness to independent living, and to help new tenants in accessing the locally available mainstream health and social services.

"Effective right to housing" aims to eradicate homelessness in the Asturias region by providing public housing and ensuring that homeless individuals become formal tenants with full rights and responsibilities under Spanish rental law. It also seeks to strengthen the role of public authorities in Housing First programmes, improve coordination across different levels of government, and secure an adequate supply of public housing to effectively address homelessness.

Communities Housing Trust (CHT) takes a collaborative, partnership approach with communities to provide essential, high-quality and genuinely affordable housing. The village of Gairloch, in the northwest Highlands, is a good example of this approach in practice. The Achtercairn regeneration project grew into a community-led development tailored to local and long-term needs which addressed the social and economic inequality of this rural and remote area, as well as the climate crisis.

“Apartments for Graduates” is an affordable housing initiative in Poznań designed to support young professionals who are not yet able to secure a mortgage. By offering reasonably priced rentals with good living standards, the programme helps retain recent graduates, attract talent to the city and respond to rising housing costs that disproportionately affect young people.

The project combines affordable, eco-friendly housing with the creation of a strong, community-oriented neighbourhood. Based in Svartlamon, Trondheim, it is led by tenants who have established a housing association and actively participate in governance and decision-making.

Following the decline of a temporary settlement built in 1996 for displaced families in Tuzla, this project seeks to replace inadequate living conditions with a sustainable solution. Its main goal is to provide affordable, non-profit social housing through expanded leasing options, increased funding, and stronger institutional capacity. The initiative also focuses on improving social and health services, while promoting inclusion and support for vulnerable groups.

The “Lloguem!/Yes We Rent” initiative addresses the city’s shortage of affordable housing through a replicable model that combines public action and community-led governance, offering a practical framework for other cities to follow.

A housing programme supporting access to affordable land and enabling community-led development. By empowering low-income households to build and manage their homes, it promotes inclusion and long-term stability. The initiative highlights alternative pathways to housing provision.

A community-based programme engaging young people in preventing violence and improving safety in housing neighbourhoods. Through education, employment, and local involvement, it creates safer and more cohesive communities. The initiative highlights the social role of housing providers.

A new generation of social housing that integrates health, well-being, and building design. By addressing environmental and social determinants of health, it improves residents’ quality of life. The project demonstrates how housing can actively contribute to healthier communities.

A housing project that integrates social support services with affordable homes for vulnerable residents. By combining housing with care and guidance, it supports long-term stability and personal development. The initiative highlights the importance of holistic approaches to housing.

A resident-led cooperative housing project that combines affordability, sustainability, and democratic governance. Developed and managed by its members, it offers a long-term alternative to speculative housing markets. The project showcases the potential of cooperative models in urban development.

An innovative housing access model that connects vacant homes with households in need through strong municipal coordination. By mobilising underused housing stock, it expands affordable housing supply without new construction. The initiative highlights the role of partnerships in addressing housing shortages.

A retrofit initiative improving the energy performance and comfort of existing social housing. By addressing fuel poverty and poor living conditions, it delivers both environmental and social benefits. The project shows how renovation can enhance health, well-being, and affordability simultaneously.

An innovative housing concept that combines renewable energy production with affordability by providing residents with low-cost or free electricity. By integrating energy systems directly into housing design, it reduces living costs and environmental impact. The project highlights new models for energy-positive social housing.

A sustainable housing development in Vienna that combines high energy performance with affordability in a dense urban context. Through innovative design and renewable energy solutions, it reduces environmental impact while maintaining high living standards. The project illustrates how climate goals can be aligned with social housing provision.

A housing initiative that combines affordable homes with tailored support services for vulnerable residents. Through inclusive design and community-oriented planning, it creates a stable and supportive living environment. The project highlights the role of housing in enabling social inclusion and long-term well-being.

An innovative housing development in Vienna that integrates affordable homes with social services, education, and community infrastructure. Designed as a “living campus,” it supports diverse groups including single parents, youth, and vulnerable residents. The project demonstrates how housing can act as a platform for inclusion, care, and empowerment.

A pioneering cooperative housing model that removes homes from speculation through collective ownership and long-term affordability. Developed in partnership with municipalities, it combines sustainable design, democratic governance, and strong community engagement. The model offers a scalable alternative to market-driven housing while empowering residents.

A nationwide housing initiative that enables municipalities to deliver affordable homes through industrialised construction and framework procurement. By standardising design and centralising purchasing, it reduces construction costs and speeds up delivery. The model has already supported thousands of homes and helped smaller providers re-enter the housing market.

A flagship renovation project in Salzburg showing how climate neutrality and affordability can be achieved together. By combining renewable energy systems, innovative heat recovery, and sustainable densification, it upgrades existing housing without expanding land use. The result is high-quality, low-cost housing with significantly reduced emissions.

A pioneering initiative in Thessaloniki that transforms long-vacant public properties into affordable housing for vulnerable households. Led by the Municipal Social Rental Agency, it introduces a new publicly managed housing model in a country with no existing national framework. The project also informs policy reform and scaling through EU funding and national strategies.

A long-term initiative by the City of Stockholm to accelerate the delivery of affordable rental housing through streamlined planning and procurement. By enabling parallel processes and standardised design, the model cuts development time in half while reducing costs. It demonstrates how strong public coordination can deliver high-quality, climate-smart homes at scale.