Ensuring fair access to affordable housing is a major topic across the European Union. Finding solutions is complex and varies by country. Slovakia's capital set out to create the Bratislava Housing Organisation as a municipal company in charge of rental housing.
Rising prices have made buying or renting homes hard for many residents, especially those with low to middle incomes and young Slovaks who are starting their independent lives.
With financing from the InvestEU Advisory Hub, European Investment Bank experts and external consultants worked with the municipality staff to assess the current and future business model, bringing in insights from international best practice and evaluating new housing stock. The advice also focused on making recommendations to ensure the long-term financial viability of the organisation. EIB experts also provided recommendations, and potential improvements to the country’s housing legislative framework to support effective implantation of housing development projects in the future.
The assistance from EIB Advisory demonstrates the potential for making significant improvements in cities’ affordable housing plans. The development of the Bratislava Housing Organisation can be a model for other cities in Central and Southeastern Europe facing similar challenges.
