Introduction: Problem: European cities continue to see a number of individuals forced into “Rough Sleeping”. Rough Sleeping is defined as sleeping on the street as opposed to some type of shelter. Question: What city's and NGO's in Europe might combine to help create a successful homeless program in Europe? More specifically: Are there any good or bad examples... Continue Reading →
Social Housing’s challenges in housing homeless in Europe.
A question that needs to be asked by social housing providers both in the USA and Europe is what role do we take in regards to those who are completely homeless. At first thought, the answer seems simple. Social housing providers will do anything possible to help reduce the number of people who are homeless. ... Continue Reading →
Housing First in Europe- 5 Short Summaries of Test Sites
I am truly lucky for this year abroad researching and looking at social housing and homeless programs in Germany and the EU. The world is increasingly more global and sharing of best practices can not be limited to country borders. As I researched homeless programs in Germany, I came across the name of a Dr.... Continue Reading →
Work for Repayment of rent arrears? An example from Hungary.
What to do when a tenant owes money to the housing authority? The question is typical and we face it on a regular basis. Many times the money spent to collect is more than the actual debt. In other situations, the tenant is in a bad situation and we want to work around it. If it is... Continue Reading →
Innovative Program in the Netherlands- Combining Elderly and Young Women
Social Housing providers serve many different categories of adults and families. Two specific groups that we see in social housing are elderly and single mothers. These are two completely different groups with completely different problems. In the USA social housing system, many seniors end up in a combo building that houses both seniors and disabled. This... Continue Reading →
What do you mean there is no Definition for Social Housing in Europe?
When I graduated college in 2009 my head was full of academic ideas and principles regarding social housing. Five years later, I am in a fellowship with a completely different view on how urban planning and social housing work. Theories are great but the reality of working in a government agency and implementing new programs ... Continue Reading →
Is coffee the answer?
A major problem in the US and throughout the world is affordable housing for elderly and disabled households. There are plenty of excellent housing developments in the USA that are attempting to bridge the gap. Funding enough affordable housing for the elderly and disabled is a major struggle. I do not know the answer to this question. There are good people... Continue Reading →
B-Schein- A tool to provide affordable housing in Germany.
Wohnberechtigungsschein or B-Schein for short is a tool/license used by Germany to both fund the development of social housing units and to provide a ongoing subsidy. The details are confusing so I will attempt to clarify. Below is an explanation of the B Schein Program. I will use Hannover as the example city and GBH, the... Continue Reading →
German Affordable Housing 101
To understand the affordable housing system in Hannover, one must first understand the funding program. One must be very careful when using the word "Social Housing" in Germany. Many in Germany will take that to mean only certain housing units in certain programs. If the definition is limited, you will not get gain a... Continue Reading →
News Release RE: Fellowship
NAHRO wrote a nice news release today. You can see it here- Seattle Housing Authority Employee Named Recipient of International German Fellowship
International Observatory on Social Housing 