Housing expenditure and housing policy in the West European rental sector

This contribution depicts the recent development of the housing expenditure quote for various income groups in the social and private rented sector in six West European countries. The development reflects the similar policy efforts in these countries, not only to reduce the regulatory and subsidizing role of government but also to promote market mechanisms within the housing system. The analysis shows a recent rise in the gross as well as the net rent quote in both rental sectors of the six countries. The one exception is the private rented sector in Belgium. Despite the application of housing allowances, the lower-income groups have had the biggest increase in net rent quote. In addition, all six countries have recently seen an increase in the concentration of low-income groups in the social rented sector, where their presence was already strong. If this trend persists, it will affect the position of the social rented sector, the social landlords, but especially the low-income groups in both the private and the social rented sector.