The Concept of Housing in the Czech Republic 2021+, by Marie Mohylová, Sabina Součková
By Decree 358 dated 12 April 2021, the Government of the Czech Republic has approved the Concept of Housing in the Czech Republic 2021+, a document submitted by the Ministry for Regional Development as appropriate authority for housing policies. Since housing is closely related to many other domains, the Decree has entrusted other relevant Ministries with tasks addressing social, financial, environmental and other issues as specified by the Concept.
Housing Support Programmes Operated by the Ministry for Regional Development and the State Investment Support Fund, by Marie Mohylová, Martina Pospíšil Bausová, Martin Klouda
The Ministry for Regional Development collaborates with the State Investment Support Fund in applying various tools for urban development and continuous implementation of the housing policy. For instance, Support for Housing, a subsidy programme for problem regions, is expected to announce further calls for 2022. The State Investment Support Fund provides credit-granting programmes for 2022 aimed at housing construction financed by municipalities and private developers. The Fund also provides contributions for the reconstruction and refurbishment of current housing stock and regeneration of open areas.
Housing in an International Context, by Marie Mohylová, Martin Vajčner
Published in June 2021, Housing Accessibility in Cities of the Czech Republic is the final report of a project carried out by the Ministry for Regional Development in collaboration with the OECD and the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support of the European Commission. Olomouc and Plzeň were the collaborating pilot cities in the project. Another outcome of an international project involving the Czech Republic is #Housing2030, a study initiated by the United Nations.
Coordinated Approach to Social Exclusion, by Pavla Plischke, Markéta Balgová
Coordinated Approach to Socially Excluded Locations is a government policy tool implemented by the Department for Social Inclusion of the Ministry for Regional Development. This year it was complemented by Coordinated Approach to Social Exclusion 2021+.
Housing as a Social Issue; Current Developments, by Martina Mandová, Natálie Pazderová, Marie Kunstová
The need for support concerning social aspects of accessible housing is reflected in the Strategy of Social Inclusion 2021–2130. Like other national documents such as Strategy for Equality of Men and Women 2021–2025, Strategy of Roma Integration 2021–2025 and Strategic Framework for Aging in Society 2021–2025, it addresses the issue of accessible housing for families, victims of violence, Roma and other groups. A new call for support of housing has been prepared by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs for the programme period 2021–2027. The Ministry’s current efforts focus on adjustments in spheres such as uninsurable social benefits, energy poverty including definition of the target group, prevention of the loss of housing, and continuous results of the project Social Housing: Methodological and Informational Support in Social Agendas.
A Methodology for Application of Principles of Universal Design and Lifelong Housing in Housing Construction, by Jan Tomandl, Irena Šestáková, Michal Kohout, David Tichý
This article presents a methodology that originated within an applied research project named Quest for Supportive Methods of Implementation of the Principle of Universal Design in Housing Investments. This project was assigned to a research team at the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University by the Technological Agency of the Czech Republic on behalf of the Ministry for Regional Development.
The methodology follows, reviews and develops current requirements for barrier-free use of blocks of flats and individual flats. The key idea behind the methodology is a three-fold categorization of accessibility with a summary of specific requirements for housing of visually impaired persons. This categorization was inspired by legislation in Sweden and Germany, where such standards form part of the national requirements for housing.
The basic universal standard is defined as S120. Its main requirement is to guarantee leeway in the form of a circle of 1200 mm in diameter in all rooms. This category should meet the needs of the elderly and those using a walker, crutches or a small wheelchair. Another category is the barrier-free standard S150, which corresponds to most requirements for flats for special use as defined by Czech legislation, providing leeway in the form of a circle of 1500 mm in diameter. Finally, the S180 specific standard corresponds to requirements for leeway in the form of a circle of 1800 mm in diameter; it applies for some rooms only, such as bathroom or bedroom. This category takes into account persons diagnosed with myopathy, muscular dystrophy and serious forms illness requiring assistance in most situations. Our methodology for application of principles of universal design and lifelong housing in housing construction contains a list of specific requirements corresponding with all these standards.
Social Housing in Chomutov, by Mária Šťastná
The municipal authority of Chomutov has addressed the issue of housing for persons in danger of or afflicted by social exclusion through their social housing. The waiver of the fee/deposit pertaining to the residential lease contract and intensive social work provide support for housing and progressive inclusion. The most endangered groups consist of families and single parents with small children. This concept of social housing and active cooperation with other actors guarantees a high success rate for clients who fail in the open housing market. There is evident improvement in terms of livelihood security and socialization in Chomutov’s endangered population.
A Strategy for Housing Development in Prague, by Michal Němec
Unaffordable housing is one of the city of Prague’s biggest current problems. Due to high market rentals and increasing prices of residential property, which is now especially apparent, the financial accessibility of housing is now lower in Prague than in most other European capitals. Ever more inhabitants of Prague struggle to afford adequate high-quality housing. In this unfavourable situation, municipal politicians, who are keen to react to current problems and so contribute to improved quality of life, have approved the Strategy of Housing Development in Prague, the first new city-wide housing strategy for more than 15 years. The aim of this article is to summarize the main principles, conclusions and recommendations emerging from this strategy.
Flats and the Zoning Plan for Brno, by Michal Sedláček
As the supply of flats in the city of Brno is insufficient, demand is met beyond administrative boundaries. A strong tool in terms of stipulating the spatial conditions for housing construction, the zoning plan can affect future scenarios for the city’s population development. The areas designated for development vary in size; they include brownfield zones as well as smaller plots intended to complement built-up locations. However, previous balance analyses of documents of spatial analysis show that many of these areas are not rebuildable in practice. Complex proprietary rights, economic impacts, deficient infrastructure and poor transport accessibility are the most frequent reasons for this. The meeting of a demand for housing for 100,000 inhabitants is realistic in the longer term: for a city with a current population of 400,000, the zoning plan counts with 500,000 residents.
A New Zoning Plan, More Flats, Ongoing Renovation: Brno’s Housing Strategy Indicates Targets for 2030, by Radka Loukotová
The current strategic document for housing in the city of Brno covers the period 2018–2030. The city’s main aim for these years is to support affordable housing for various groups in the population. Specific steps are determined in detail by particular action plans.
Housing First: Testing of a Concept in Jihlava, by Michaela Jelínková
Based on a resolution made by the municipality, the statutory city of Jihlava has decided to carry out a project pursuant to Call 108 of the Operational Programme Employment. A concept known as Housing First has been tested within this project since 1 October 2019.
