The Danish report

Foreword: Social Housing in Times of TransformationThe Danish housing sector, which most closely resembles "social housing" in other countries, is the "public housing" sector (although it is privately owned). It is open to anyone who signs up for a waiting list - regardless of income and family circumstances. The sector is also called "non-profit" housing because the homes are rented out for the costs of land purchase, construction and financing, but not for profit to the developer (a housing company). The sector has tenants' democracy, i.e. tenants have a decisive influence on, for example, renovations and in relation to operations. The sector dominates in some suburbs of Copenhagen, where its share can reach over 50% of the housing stock; nationally, the sector constitutes approx. 20% of all housing. Residualisation is visible with a growing share of vulnerable groups among its tenants - e.g. single people, early retirees, people with an ethnic groups and low-income groups. The result is, among other things, the controversial "ghetto law".