Koncepce sociálního bydlení statutárního města Ostravy 2025–2028

The Koncepce sociálního bydlení statutárního města Ostrava 2025‑2028 is a policy document produced by the municipal authority of Ostrava, the Statutární město Ostrava. The concept was automatically generated by the EHC profile routine and reflects the city’s strategic response to the growing housing crisis, incorporating the national Housing First approach and the Law on Housing Support (2022). It outlines a three‑year framework (2025‑2028) aimed at expanding sustainable, dignified social housing for households in housing need.

Ostrava’s vision is to provide accessible, dignified, and systemically anchored housing for all residents facing homelessness or housing insecurity. Key goals include: early identification of at‑risk households, rapid placement of households into standard rental units without pre‑conditions, and the development of a coordinated, data‑driven support system. The concept emphasises integration of social services, health, education, and employment support, aligning with broader European sustainability objectives.

• Targeted households: 3 300 households in housing need.
• Housing supply: A minimum of 45 new social housing units per year, with a total of 200 units prepared by the end of 2026.
• Support ratios: Standard support ratio of 1 social worker to 8 clients (or 1 to 6 in complex cases).
• Annual service provision: At least 500 clients served by the contact point for housing.
• Funding: Implementation financed through the OPZ+ employment programme (call 64) and municipal budgets, with an estimated €200 000 annual allocation for unit preparation.

The concept establishes a Contact Point for Housing serving as a hub for intake, assessment, and coordination of services. It introduces three core instruments: Contact Point, Assistance in Housing, and Supported Housing Measures (including municipal‑supported and guaranteed‑rental schemes). The municipality will create a Housing‑First Multidisciplinary Team comprising social workers, psychologists, peer workers, debt advisers, and housing specialists. Support is voluntary, flexible, and continues for as long as needed.

Implementation involves a broad coalition: municipal departments (social affairs, health, property), city districts, non‑profit organisations, the Czech Labour Office, private housing owner Heimstaden s.r.o., and national ministries (Labour & Social Affairs, Regional Development). The Working Group for Social Housing and Round‑Table Discussions facilitate regular dialogue, knowledge sharing, and policy refinement. Meetings are scheduled at least twice a year.

1. Legislative Implementation (Priority 1): Operationalise the Housing Support Act via contact points, assistance, and supported housing measures.
2. Prevention of Housing Loss (Priority 2): Deploy early‑risk detection systems, strengthen cooperation between households and social workers, and improve data sharing across districts.
3. Social Housing Development (Priority 3): Pilot Housing‑First placements, expand the municipal housing stock, maintain support for households already housed, and produce updated methodological guides.
4. Data, Evaluation, and Systemic Change (Priority 4): Continuous monitoring, impact evaluation, and dissemination of findings to inform scaling and policy adjustment.

The concept integrates sustainability by promoting de‑segregation—allocating social housing across diverse neighbourhoods to avoid concentration of poverty. It links housing stability to broader social outcomes, such as health improvement and employment retention, thereby contributing to the EU’s Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Evaluation will measure reductions in homelessness, cost savings in health and social services, and the scalability of the Housing‑First model for other European municipalities.

• Housing placement: At least 45 new households secured in regular rental housing annually.
• Support continuity: Minimum 20 previously housed households receiving ongoing assistance.
• Data‑driven policy: Comprehensive dashboards on housing stock, client needs, and service impact.
• Policy diffusion: Documentation of best practices for replication in other Czech and European cities. Overall, Ostrava’s Koncepce sociálního bydlení offers a detailed, evidence‑based roadmap for expanding sustainable social housing, combining rapid placement, integrated support, and systemic evaluation to address the European housing crisis.