1. Affordable Housing and The Norwegian State Housing Bank
Introduction for Irish Delegation to KRD
by Anne Ruden

2. The State Housing Bank – an Anomaly?
We operate in one of the most deregulated and liberalized housing and credit markets in the western world
The market needs corrections to ensure that policy goals are met for those in need
The HB is a supplement to the market

3. The NSHB – ”HUSBANKEN” – The state implementing agency for housing policy
Strong political comittment to policy goals that all shall have access to good and secure housing
Extent of Poverty is our greatest challenge
We have the carrots!

4. Our past: – ”affordability taken care of by a generous supply of low cost, moderate standard housing”

5. Good housing standards
16% lived ”over-crowded” in 1980, share reduced to 7% in 2004
Sq.m. pr. person increased from 36 in 1980to 54 in 2003
Share of people in cold and damp housing fallen from 9% in 1980 to 6% iin 2004
Grown ups living without bath reduced from 10% in 1980 to 0% in 2004
49% accessible for wheelchair-users in 2004!(?)

6. The Census of 2001 78 % own their dwelling
37 % belong to a 1-person household
1 of 5 dwellings are rentals
1 out of 3 live in rentals in Oslo

7. Most housing rentals in cities

8. From ”a Bank” to a ”Welfare Institution”
More concerned with distribution and quality than quantity
A shift from capital investments to strengthen the consumers purchasing powers
Seek to work actively with, to learn from and empower our main partners – especially the municipalities
Influence builders; professionals; educators to achieve more sustainable and inclusive building solutions
Research and capacity building

9. Who are the poor?

10. High housing expenditures
Share has fallen since 1990’s but still high
Singles below 45 yrs, single parents and young couples without children the highest incidence
Relativeley many among singles above 45yrs. and families with children
Very few among older couples or couples with grown up-children

12. The housing bank measures
Traditionally to enable entry to the market
Help those in need to stay in a good house
Modestly priced prime loans – no direct subsidies
Top up with start-up loans
Grants to establish special housing solutions
Consumer support to purchase/ pay housing costs
Grants to research,capacity building and information

13. Housing subsidies channeled through the HB interest subs housing allowance start-up grants housing grants

14. Housing Bank Loans

15. Start-up loans
Help those who have economic difficulties to enter the housing market/ or remain
Given as top-up or fullfinancing
Can be used to buy new, refinance or rehabilitate a dwelling
Managed by the municipalities
The state and municipalities share risks
Co-operation with banks

19. Housing allowances More than 100 000 households receive support
Administered by the HB and the municipalities
Part of ”packages”

20. We need to know more and improve our outreach
Capacity building and research
Half of the funds to be used within social housing area
Increased focus on social rental housing
Half for improved quality and inclusion

21. Challenges
The policy is clear; unacceptable to have many that struggle to access and keep a good house
The market-foundation of the housing policy creates dynamic challenges to housing policy
A need for a flexible and efficient public agency – partnerships and co-operation needed

22. Thank you!
www. husbanken.no