Inclusion, Sustainability, and Critical Questions in Housing Policy: Insights from the ENHR Conference

Each year, the European Network for Housing Research (ENHR) conference brings together researchers, practitioners and policy makers to address key challenges in housing. This year’s event took place in Delft and featured a number of fascinating presentations and field trips on topics ranging from housing affordability to the future of urban living.  

In this blog, we would like to share some of the insights we gained from attending the ENHR conference: inclusivity in housing policy, balancing environmental and social sustainability, and the importance of asking the right questions in housing policy. 

Including everyone in ‘everyone’

ENHR Vice-President Montserrat Pareja-Eastaway opened the conference by highlighting one of the most pressing issues of our time: access to safe, sustainable and affordable housing for all. Throughout the conference, there was a lot of discussion about the ongoing housing crisis and the pivotal moment that Europe is facing. The European Union will soon have its first ever housing commissioner, signaling a potential shift in the prioritization of housing at the policy level.  

Additionally, Housing Europe’s latest report on the State of Housing in Europe highlights increased governmental activity in housing policy. Across Europe, social movements are gaining traction, advocating for housing to be seen as a fundamental right rather than a commodity. 

On the verge of possibly historical changes in housing policy at the European level, we reflected on the meaning of advocating for affordable housing for all. Despite the inclusive rhetoric, the concept of ‘everyone’ in housing policy rarely includes everyone in practice. For instance, during a panel discussion on cooperative housing, several panelists suggested that this model might not be appropriate for addressing homelessness. While cooperative housing can be a valuable tool for increasing access to affordable housing, it is important to ask why certain groups, like the homeless, are not considered a target group. 

Providing affordable housing for all may require challenging traditional policies and practices. A few sessions at the conference focused on the situations in which people lose access to social housing. In the discussions, we could read a general critique towards the punitive nature of certain policies and practices in social housing. However, most people recognize the need for limits beyond which people cannot live in rental housing. We know that there are situations that would legally require evictions, such as large rent arrears or criminal activities taking place in the house.  

From the perspective of homelessness research, it is essential to acknowledge this contradiction between the right to housing and the limits imposed by the lease and, more generally, by life in society.

What can we do to ensure that the right to housing includes those who cannot cope with traditional tenancy requirements and social rules?  

During the plenary session on cooperative housing, an intriguing idea was discussed: the IKEA effect. This concept suggests that when people are involved in creating or designing something, they feel a stronger emotional connection to it. The panelists proposed that cooperative housing could leverage this effect by engaging residents in the maintenance and upkeep of their homes, potentially increasing their commitment to the property.  

Building on this idea, imagine a housing policy that incorporates the IKEA effect to tackle the most challenging people to house.

By fostering a sense of responsibility and collective effort, could we make the right to housing a more unified and achievable goal for all? 

Balancing environmental and social sustainability

One field trip that caught our attention was the visit to RijswijkBuiten, a sustainable housing development on the outskirts of Delft. RijswijkBuiten was promoted as a showcase for environmental sustainability, incorporating cutting-edge designs that emphasize energy efficiency, green spaces, and renewable energy. The project’s sustainable credentials were impressive.  

In RijswijkBuiten, 10% of the housing was set aside for social housing, a limit set – according to the developer of the project – for cost reasons. After the visit, we wondered whether the neighborhood sufficiently combines environmental sustainability and social responsibility. 

Environmental sustainability often dominates discussions around new developments, but social sustainability could be equally important to the long-term success of a neighborhood and the broader societal impact of the initiative. Key issues to consider include how a neighborhood prevents segregation – while social housing is a step forward, a small percentage may not be enough to prevent social divisions, especially if the housing isn’t well integrated into the overall design.  

It’s also critical to assess the impact of land use on existing communities, considering whether new developments displace residents or result in a loss of green space for long-term residents. As we look to the future, can we truly achieve a balance where environmental innovations coexist with social equity, creating neighborhoods that are both green and inclusive? 

We may have the answer, but what are the questions in housing policy?

In a plenary session on industrialized construction, Alistair Parvin, CEO of Open Systems Lab, emphasized that while technology offers many tools to improve affordability in construction, it cannot address deeper systemic issues.  

Citing architect Cedric Price’s quote, “Technology is the answer, but what was the question,” Parvin highlighted that broader structural problems often counteract technological solutions. The panel discussed examples where affordable construction methods were used, but the homes still became expensive due to rising land values. Additionally, while technological advances can speed up construction, they can also exacerbate issues like social segregation. 

With Price’s quote in mind, we reflected on the importance of housing in solving homelessness. We know that housing is the answer but… what is the question?  

A housing policy that overlooks vulnerable groups can exacerbate homelessness and housing exclusion by failing to address their specific needs, such as affordability or accessibility. Without targeted support, these individuals may face increased barriers to securing stable housing, leading to higher rates of eviction or inability to enter the housing market. This lack of inclusivity may ultimately exacerbate existing inequalities and deepen the housing crisis for those most vulnerable.  

We believe that connecting housing and homelessness policy is crucial if we want to address the systemic issues underlying homelessness.

Ultimately, it is important to ask: Is the elimination of homelessness one of the questions when it comes to housing policy?  If we start asking the question, we are already closer to the answer