Renovating the Unfit Housing Stock: Case Studies

More than 19.2 million people in Europe, 4.2% of the total population, were experiencing severe housing deprivation in 2020. Unfit housing has a dramatic affect on the health and wellbeing of households, from physical affects such as respiratory infections and asthma, or the danger of the physical collapse of buildings, and mental toll resulting in stress, anxiety, and depression. Renovations to improve the living conditions of households are necessary. This need is reinforced by the introduction of new laws and policy within the EU, such as the EBPD, which aim to move households away from carbon-heavy energy sources, and reduce consumption through greater insulation and energy conservation measures. However, housing deprivation often affects those living below the poverty line - 14.8% of the European population, 23.1% of whom were below the poverty line, were living in housing with leaks, damp, or mould in 2020. The question remains: when the poorest and most vulnerable households are occupying the unfit housing stock, how can they afford these expensive, and often unapproachable, renovations? Below you can find a series of case studies where the renovations of the unfit housing stock are used to benefit the most vulnerable households. From social enterprise letting schemes, renovating vacant buildings to provide homes for low-income households, to companies helping renovate the homes of those who could not otherwise afford it.