Oslo

The Oslo city administration is actively addressing housing affordability challenges through several initiatives. The city aims to make Oslo a place where everyone can own their home, in line with Norway's "eierlinja" policy. A key target is to have at least 20% of housing in Oslo be affordable.

To achieve this, Oslo launched OsloBolig in 2022, a public-private partnership offering alternative housing solutions. OsloBolig purchases newly built homes from developers at a discount and resells them to qualifying residents at below-market prices. The program includes options for shared equity and gradual ownership increases.

The city is also promoting sustainable housing through projects like Oen, a planned circular apartment building that will produce more energy than it consumes. Additionally, Oslo has implemented procurement criteria encouraging the use of emission-free construction machinery and materials transport in municipal projects.

Other initiatives include the Oslo Model for socially responsible procurement, which aims to improve transparency and reduce exploitative practices in construction. The city is also piloting innovative approaches to material reuse and circular construction, as seen in projects like Fyrstikkbakken 14 and the Løren Sports Hall.

These efforts demonstrate Oslo's commitment to creating more affordable and sustainable housing options for its residents while addressing environmental concerns and promoting social equity.

Oslo's housing market is characterized by high demand and limited supply, driving up prices and rents. The city's population grew by 1.2% in 2024, reaching 723,200 by September, fueling housing needs. As of 2024, Oslo has approximately 720,000 housing units.

The average price per square meter for a home in Oslo is around 7,800 euros (90,000 NOK), significantly higher than the national average. Rental rates have soared, with the average monthly rent in Oslo reaching about 1,650 euros (19,000 NOK) as of late 2024, a 20% increase over two years.

Approximately 70% of Oslo residents own their homes, while 30% rent. The rental market is primarily served by private landlords, with professional rental actors accounting for 43.8% of rentals.

Public and social housing plays a limited role, with municipal housing representing only 4.8% of the rental market. Cooperative housing is more significant, with about 13-14% of Norway's total housing stock being cooperative dwellings.

The city aims to increase affordable housing, with initiatives like Oslobolig targeting 20% of housing to be affordable. However, the market remains competitive, with properties selling quickly and prices continuing to rise, making homeownership increasingly challenging for many residents.