COVID-19, the Great Recession and social policy: Is this time different?

Summary: The term 'affordable housing' has gained popularity in Europe over the past decade. This paper presents findings from a study commissioned by the European Investment Bank, investigating the definitions, programs, and policies of affordable housing and social housing in England, Italy, Poland, and The Netherlands. The study found that affordable housing is becoming a distinct field in all four countries, parallel to developments in social housing. The paper also describes innovative policies for affordable housing solutions and suggests future policy developments and research agendas.