The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research examines housing support within social security systems through theoretical analysis and international comparison, exploring the evolving boundaries between housing and welfare policies.
Key Points
1. Theoretical Foundations of Housing as Social Right
- Housing recognized as fundamental human right in international declarations and national constitutions
- Shift from commodity-based to rights-based approach in housing policy discourse
- Social citizenship theory incorporating adequate housing as essential component
- Welfare state typologies reflecting different conceptualizations of housing support
2. Comparative Analysis of Housing Support Systems
- Universal model: Nordic countries providing broad housing allowances as citizen entitlement
- Selective model: Anglo-Saxon countries targeting support to specific vulnerable groups
- Corporatist model: Continental Europe linking housing support to employment status
- Developmental model: East Asian countries emphasizing asset-building through homeownership
- Hybrid approaches emerging as countries adapt to changing demographics and economics
3. Integration with Social Security Architecture
- Housing allowances functioning as income maintenance programs
- Social housing serving as in-kind benefit provision
- Housing support reducing poverty through lowered living costs
- Preventive role in avoiding homelessness and social exclusion
- Complementarity with healthcare, education, and employment support
4. Emerging Challenges and Policy Innovations
- Affordability crisis requiring expanded public intervention
- Demographic shifts necessitating age-friendly housing solutions
- Climate change demanding sustainable housing standards
- Digitalization enabling new forms of housing support delivery
- COVID-19 pandemic highlighting housing as public health infrastructure
5. Future Directions for Housing Social Security
- Towards comprehensive housing guarantee frameworks
- Integration of housing support with universal basic services
- Development of housing-focused social investment strategies
- Strengthening housing rights enforcement mechanisms
- Building resilient housing systems for future shocks
The article concludes that housing support must be reconceptualized as core social security component rather than peripheral welfare measure, requiring fundamental shifts in policy design, funding mechanisms, and institutional arrangements to ensure universal access to adequate housing.