The provision of affordable housing via public-private partnerships in Poland

Abstract

Housing constitutes a basic human need. It is essential to both quality of life and sustainable development, being considered one of the most important infrastructure assets connected with social stability. Consequently, the price and availability of housing have a major effect on a nation’s society’s living standards, with access to adequate affordable housing ensuring poverty prevention, labor inclusion and avoidance of social exclusion. Public entities may however find themselves lacking the necessary resources for the provision of affordable housing – be it know-how, or finances. This article aims at showcasing the potential of the public-private partnership model for the provision of affordable housing in Poland on a case study of the municipal apartment complex in Małkinia Górna – the first Polish PPP project in the domain of affordable housing which concluded in the signing of a contract. The development of the cost of housing in Poland, as well as its impact on suburbanization and urban sprawl, will be addressed.