Paper addresses and compares housing policy in Ljubljana and Vienna, focusing on the accessibility and quality of living in both cities. Issues such as high rental prices, the lack of affordable housing, and the construction of luxury housing units that are inaccessible to most people are among the key problems faced in Ljubljana. The purpose of the study is to explore the differences in the goals, strategies, and effectiveness of the housing policies in both cities and to identify practices from Vienna that could be adopted in Ljubljana to improve the housing situation.
The research was conducted using a comparative analysis, in which we compared the current programs of the cities concerning their goals and specific measures to achieve them. Methods included the analysis of scientific articles and existing studies, as well as a comparison of data from the Austrian and Slovenian statistical offices, which monitor property prices, market composition, and the number of purchases and rentals. Current regulations were also analyzed to compare the conditions that applicants for non-profit housing must meet to be eligible for public housing.
The results of the research show that Vienna, due to its long tradition of nonprofit and municipal housing as well as strict rent regulation, successfully maintains a high level of social inclusion and housing accessibility. In contrast, Ljubljana, which faced housing market privatization after gaining independence, struggles with a shortage of nonprofit housing and an unregulated private rental market, leading to greater social and economic inequalities. Therefore, it would not be sensible to directly transfer some of Vienna’s practices to Ljubljana, as they are tailored to specific circumstances. Instead, we must seek out those successful measures that are suitable for the current environmental, spatial, and social needs and desires of Ljubljana and its residents.
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