Original scientific paper
An Analysis of the System of Subsidised Rents and Housing Costs and the Practice of Constructing Flats for Social Housing in Croatia
Gojko Bežovan
orcid.org/0000-0002-7543-6875
; ull professor of social policy, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb
Abstract
The paper contains an analysis of the results of an empirical research dealing with the practice of subsidised rents and housing costs and investments in social housing in larger Croatian towns. The research had been conducted by postal survey after which a focus group was organised that discussed the survey results with the representatives of towns and cities. The practice of subsidising rents and housing costs in Croatia was adapted to the new frameworks during the 1990s. In the second half of the 1990s, these tasks were handed over to local authorities. Research results have shown that the system of subsidised rents and housing costs is of residual character, that it encompasses a small number of households, and that it cannot increase demand for housing units. Different bases for granting that right in various Croatian towns lead to the conclusion that local welfare
states have been developed. Subtenants, who are a vulnerable group because they usually have no lease contracts, can become users of this programme only with great difficulties. Social housing and housing with protected rent amounts have but marginal share in the housing structure in Croatia. These are mostly poor quality housing units. Few towns have invested in building social housing units, while some of the towns have decided to sell such units to the protected tenants. Reforms have been suggested to meet the increased demand for social housing during recession in the form of stronger centralisation of social housing
programmes and shared responsibility of the central state and municipalities for reform implementation. New research in this filed should be oriented to the area of housing expenses and spending.
Keywords
subsidised rents and housing costs; social housing; housing policy – Croatia
Hrčak ID:
135329
URI
Publication date:
7.9.2010.
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