Platforma pro sociální bydlení is a Prague-based non-governmental organisation founded in 2013. It began as a loose alliance of experts, NGOs, and citizens concerned with social housing, and today operates as a registered association bringing together over 100 member organisations and individuals. The Platform focuses on research, advocacy, and advisory activities centered around housing issues and homelessness prevention in the Czech Republic.
Its history includes playing a key role in introducing and developing the Housing First approach nationally, most notably through a pilot in Brno in 2016 that housed 50 families previously living in hostels or shelters. The project demonstrated a 96% retention rate after one year, earning international recognition and awards for social innovation. Over the years, the organisation has also campaigned for the adoption of social housing legislation and regularly collaborates with ministries, municipalities, and foreign partners to transfer best practices and inform policy.
Current projects range from strengthening organisational capacity and professionalisation (supported by EU and Czech operational programmes) to the implementation of educational seminars and training for municipal and NGO staff. The Platform supports systematic changes, such as the development of contact points for housing advice and solutions that do not always require new construction—sometimes a deposit contribution suffices. Their data compilation and analysis have contributed to mapping housing exclusion, with estimates suggesting tens of thousands of people, including approximately 61,000 children, are affected by housing insecurity in the country.