PRO M OTING R E FU G E E I NT E G RAT I O N A ND I NC LU SI ON : E M P OW E R I N G M U N I C I PA L I T I E S AC R OSS E U R OP E ON HOUSING The below consists of general recommendations followed by a compendium of models/practices sorted into i) flexible or medium-term solutions and ii) longer-term solutions. While most are based on examples implemented in countries across Europe at times of mass refugee influxes, particularly in the latter case, these models are designed to address affordable housing shortages that can benefit vulnerable and disadvantaged populations encompassing national, as well as refugee populations. ● ● To national governments: ● Ensure a multidisciplinary analysis of the affordable housing crisis67 and intersectoral cooperation is in place to work toward effective outcomes. No one-size-fits-all approach is possible to recommend here given the diversity of country situations in Europe, however, countries that have engaged in sustained and intensive efforts to analyse and devise effective responses are locating the pain points. These include how gaps in affordable housing will continue to widen without appropriate legislative interventions, the essential role of public-private partnerships to increase the housing stock, and the use of EU funding on a larger scale to support affordable housing schemes and integration-related services for refugees at the subnational level.68 ● It may be necessary to implement a range of diverse solutions simultaneously, such as assistance to support the transition from collective centres to independent rental agreements (and with it access to decent work), and affordable housing models such as Social (or Municipal) Rental Agencies. To municipalities: ● Prioritize access to: mid and long-term affordable housing solutions, including housing assistance and social housing schemes for refugees; and to independent, or semi- 20 ● ● independent housing for refugee households, ensuring stays in collective accommodation are restricted to limited periods of time. Ensure housing is accompanied by holistic inclusion/integration support69 sustained over a period that allows refugees to establish social networks, become proficient in the local language, find decent work, enrol children in schools and access services. Ensure refugees most vulnerable and at-risk receive multifaceted support to access decent work and a steady income, including through (complementary) social protection schemes where required, literacy and language training, education, and effective access to health care. Further sales of municipal housing should be prohibited or at least limited to exceptional circumstances. As an alternative to further privatization of social housing, municipal housing companies could instead carry out projects in the affordable housing sector using various sources of financing.70 Design flexible reception systems / shelter spaces that can quicky scale up and down their capacity in the case of rapid large-scale arrivals. Options for flexible or medium-term solutions: ● Citizen Accommodation: Government-supported citizen accommodation has been a key component of France’s response for refugees from Ukraine. UNHCR conducted research on the scheme in six cities across France and published a report (available in French) documenting the components of the program that made it such a success, while making recommendations for further strengthening the model. ● Transformation and flex homes: In response to its housing crisis, The Netherlands has scaled up government support for temporary housing projects such as modular housing and container units, and repurposed buildings. These projects have been increasingly made available to refugees so they can leave reception centers sooner, or as a more stable and sustainable place to live than other forms of municipal UNHCR REGIONAL BUREAU FOR EUROPE, AUGUST 2024 P R O MOT IN G R E FUGE E IN T EG R ATIO N AN D IN C LUSIO N : EMP OWE R IN G MUN IC IPAL ITIES ACROS S EUROPE reception. A government incentive scheme is available to help municipalities finance flexible housing projects or transform existing buildings. A toolbox with key legal and financial information has been created for municipalities, provinces, housing associations, project developers and construction companies that want to contribute to temporary housing (projects).71 ● Timebound amendments to regulations to accelerate housing development: To enable accelerated housing development, the Mayor of Hamburg, Germany proposed an amendment to the Federal Building Code to allow the construction of temporary refugee accommodation in non-residential areas, including industrial areas, car parks and commercial sites, for a period of three to five years.72 Options for long-term solutions To support long-term housing solutions, local authorities can consider several practical measures, including repurposing public facilities, cooperation with private sector actors and schemes to support the transition into independent rental agreements. ● Affordable Housing Models: Trial or (where these have already been piloted successfully) scale-up innovative affordable housing schemes implemented by NGOs and municipalities, such as social rental agencies (SRAs). These act as a mediating agent between landlords (private or municipal) and persons in housing need. They benefit local authorities by providing an alternative to council housing, reducing social housing waiting lists, and supporting the needs of disadvantaged groups by offering UNHCR REGIONAL BUREAU FOR EUROPE, AUGUST 2024 complementary socio-economic inclusion support services, such as employment counselling.73 ● Increase housing stock through mobilizing the potential of unused and under-utilized properties. Examples of approaches include: -Renovation and repurposing of vacant housingCities in the UK have worked closely across stakeholders and used private sector funding to bring long term empty homes back into use.74 - Levying taxes on properties that are empty or serve as secondary residences, as Paris’ city administration has done, generating a significant revenue stream to support the purchase and construction of public housing.75 - Supporting medium-sized cities with subsidies for renovation of unused municipal buildings. ● Support refugees to transition to the rental market: via provision of financial support (assistance with the transition and distribution of a one-off lump sum allowance)76 or transferred rental agreements, in which a local organization, municipality or social services department acts as tenant and signs a rental agreement with the landlord, subletting the accommodation to the refugee. ● Effective inclusion of refugees into existing housing support schemes of host communities, working to remove any legal and de facto barriers they face in accessing these. 21