Description
The project deals with housing policy in Poland and related housing poverty. In last 25 years, housing situation in Poland got worse. The project aims at improving the quality of housing policy through initiating public debate between citizens, NGO members, experts and public authorities, and creating a coalition to cooperate with decision-makers for changes in housing policy leading to elimination of housing poverty in Poland.
Summary of project results
"The Polish housing policy is one of the weakest ones in Europe. The existing problems include the housing deficit, limited availability of non-expensive flats, low standards of housing resources and stagnation on the rental market. The policy is marginalised not only by politicians, but also in a broader social discourse: so far, in Poland no public debates or intersectoral conferences on the subject were organised, and reliable research in this field are lacking. In spite of the multidimensional aspects of the problem, interinstitutional activities are lacking, and the interested groups are dispersed and have no knowledge on good practices. The aim of the project was to strengthen the public debate dedicated to housing policy through initiating discussions between citizens, non-governmental organisations, experts and public authorities, and starting a coalition cooperating with the decision-makers in order to eliminate housing poverty. Under the project, the Internet portal was launched serving as both a database on housing issues (reports, documents, proposals), and a forum for exchange of opinions. The aim was to start a broad, intersectoral coalition on housing issues. Under the project, advocacy activities were undertaken representing the interests of inhabitants and also stakeholders connected with housing policy. In addition, under the project nationwide surveys were conducted aimed at systematising the knowledge on housing issues. Their results were presented during the Housing Forum, and the report is available in electronic and paper versions (the report was forwarded to politicians and it is used in advocacy activities). During the implementation of the project, a conference was organised where 101 persons from all sectors developed proposals which were later forwarded to the authorities. Also two public debates were organised and two exhibitions on housing poverty. As a result of the activities undertaken, the project benefited citizens, non-governmental groups, public institutions responsible for housing policy."
Summary of bilateral results