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A presentation given by Christophe André at a FEANTSA Research Conference on "Access to Housing for Homeless People in Europe", York, September 2012
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European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
Housing Policies: Better Targeting Those Most in Need
Christophe André
Economics Department
OECD
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
Outline of the presentation
General economic background
Housing and welfare systems
Homelessness: trends and policy orientations
Conclusions: how to target those most in need?
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
General economic backgroundTrends in most OECD countries
Rising costs and shortages of housing
Rising income inequality and poverty
Deepest recession since the 1930s
Fiscal crisis
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
Housing cost overburden rate, 2009 (% of population)
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
Income inequalityGini coefficients of income inequality, mid-1980s and late 2000s
Source: OECD, Divided We Stand: Why Inequality Keeps Rising (2011).
Countries where inequality widened
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
Increasing inequality
Decreasing inequality
Litt le change in inequality
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
OECD output growth and unemployment
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
GDP growth over the past 5 years (annualised) Unemployment rate
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
General government financial balancePer cent of GDP (2011)
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
IRL
USA JPN
GRC
GBR ES
P
NZL
SVN
FRA
POL
SVK
NLD
CAN ISL
ISR
PRT
BEL
AU
S
ITA
CZE
AU
T
DN
K
DEU FIN
LUX
SWE
MEX
CHE
EST
KOR
HU
N
NO
R
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
Welfare systems and social housingStylised facts
Nordic model: extended welfare and flexibility – Universal social housing
Continental Europe: significant welfare but less flexible and universal – Diverse levels and organisation of social housing
English speaking countries: safety net approach – residual social housing
Transition economies: privatisation of housing at different speeds (e.g. cze,pol / est,svk)
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
Tenure structure across countriesPer cent of dwelling stock
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Owner Private rental Public rental Co-operative Others
%
Source: Andrews, Caldera Sánchez and Johansson, “Housing Markets and Structural Policies in OECD countries”, OECD Economics Department Working Papers, No. 836.
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
Types of social housing systemsBased on eligibility and allocation criteria
Broad-based system
No income limit: Waiting list
Income limits: Waiting list with some combination of priority
groups
Income limits: Needs/priority based
allocation
0-5% Luxembourg
EstoniaKorea
Mexico Norway
Slovak Republic Switzerland
United States
AustraliaItaly
Portugal Hungary Greece Slovenia
6-10%Belgium
New ZealandIreland
CanadaGermany
Israel
11-20% SwedenPolandSpain
Czech RepublicFinlandFrance
United Kingdom
More than 20%Denmark
NetherlandsAustria
Source: OECD Housing Market questionnaire.
Targeted system
Size: Percentage of social housing in the total dwelling stock
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
Public spending on housing
Tax reliefs: tend to be regressive Grants for social housing: generally declining Housing allowances: under pressure
Public finances increasingly tight -> need for more focus
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
Homelessness: Trends
Difficult to measure. But seems to be rising in many countries
The recession and budget cuts are likely to make things worse
Main causes for homelessness: Relationship breakdown and eviction Personal vulnerabilities (addictions, mental
health problems…)
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
Homelessness: Policy orientations
People with no special needs: Welfare safety net Support for housing (allowances, social housing) Forbearance (mortgage/rent arrears)/Prevention
People with special needs Housing First (rather than Staircase models) Additional social services Coordination with landlords
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
Homelessness and social housing
Disconnect between homelessness policies and social housing: path dependency, “policy silos”, stigma, financial risk…
Social housing for people with special needs? Difficult for them to access market housing Could face hardship in private rental Coordination with social services
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
Conclusions: how to target the most in need?
System approach to housing policies: is more social housing needed or are the problems elsewhere?
Allocation of social housing is key
For people with special needs: need for better coordination with social and health services
European Research ConferenceAccess to Housing for Homeless People in Europe
York, 21st September 2012
Thank you !
