European Research Conference Access 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 Conference Access 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 Conference Access to Housing for Homeless People in Europe York, 21st September 2012 General economic background Trends in most OECD countries Rising costs and shortages of housing Rising income inequality and poverty Deepest recession since the 1930s Fiscal crisis

European Research Conference Access to Housing for Homeless People in Europe York, 21st September 2012 Housing cost overburden rate, 2009 (% of population)

European Research Conference Access to Housing for Homeless People in Europe York, 21st September 2012 Income inequality Gini coefficients of income inequality, mid-1980s and late 2000s Source: OECD, Divided We Stand: Why Inequality Keeps Rising (2011).

European Research Conference Access to Housing for Homeless People in Europe York, 21st September 2012 OECD output growth and unemployment

European Research Conference Access to Housing for Homeless People in Europe York, 21st September 2012 General government financial balance Per cent of GDP (2011)

European Research Conference Access to Housing for Homeless People in Europe York, 21st September 2012 Welfare systems and social housing Stylised 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 Conference Access to Housing for Homeless People in Europe York, 21st September 2012 Tenure structure across countries Per cent of dwelling stock Source: Andrews, Caldera Sánchez and Johansson, “Housing Markets and Structural Policies in OECD countries”, OECD Economics Department Working Papers, No. 836.

European Research Conference Access to Housing for Homeless People in Europe York, 21st September 2012 Types of social housing systems Based on eligibility and allocation criteria

European Research Conference Access 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 Conference Access 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 Conference Access 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 Conference Access 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 Conference Access 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 Conference Access to Housing for Homeless People in Europe York, 21st September 2012 Thank you !