Housing poverty in Poland- a hidden problem…

Poland is going to celebrate it’s third year in the EU soon. The economy is much better, salaries are growing and real estate is getting more expensive. But after the publishing of annual the EU “Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2007” (http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/social_inclusion/jrep_en.htm) Poland doesn’t have too much to brag about…The unemployment rate is 17,7 %, the poverty rate is 21% -the worst in Europe.
Poland doesn’t have too much to brag about…The unemployment rate is 17,7 %, the poverty rate is 21% -the worst in Europe.
However, the one thing that the EU report doesn’t talk about is the gigantic housing problem in Poland. Over 6,5 mln Poles live in insufficient housing conditions (out of a nation of 38 mln, that’s a big number). One third of houses need immediate renovation. One of the major problems is overcrowding. In Poland we have one of the lowest numbers of dwellings per 1000 inhabitants ( 330 dwellings ) whereas countries like Luxemburg have over 500. This problem is due to several reasons.

Firstly, the real estate prices have gone up astronomically. Within the last 12 months the prices have gone up even over a 100% in Poland’s biggest cities ! In 2005 1 m² in Warsaw cost around 3 500 zl (around 1 150 US $), by the end of 2006 the same 1 m² costs 7 500 zl ( around 2 500 US $). Salaries have not experienced such a rise. This growth is due to several factors : the EU accession where the prices of land and homes are rising to the EU average, the availability of cheap credits and foreign investments in the building sector. The real estate boom made the rich developers even richer, but for the average Pole their own home became even more inaccessible.

Secondly, there is still a very big amount of people who don’t have access to cheap credits. Getting a credit in Poland isn’t an easy task. Even if we take a family of 6, with 4 children and both parents working full-time, they will not be eligible for credit because of the number of children. Banks often choose not to make risky deals if there is a slight suspicion that the family may have problems paying back the amount. However with such a price rise, getting a credit is often the only option.

Thirdly, lack of a good social housing policy. During the elections the present ruling party had a very catchy slogan – “We will build 3 million homes”. So far not a home has been built under this policy. The small amount of affordable and social homes only worsens the problem. One can be put on a 10 year waiting list with no real chances of getting a decent home, because the finally obtained home will need immediate renovation. The communes have no money neither for renovating or building homes. Families are often left with no choice but to live for years in overcrowded flats and wait for their turn to be allocated to a communal one.

Fourthly, the awareness of the housing problem in Poland is virtually non-existent. A few people know that the right to a safe and decent home is a human right. Families living in awful housing conditions are not part of the public debate. It’s a very hidden issue. The families are unaware that they have the right to a decent home and additionally they are often very ashamed of their situation. The wall of indifference concerning the housing poverty issue makes it only worse. Housing Ministers change constantly due to the fragile political situation so there is no chance of developing a substantial housing policy and changing the situation. The only NGO which families can turn to is Habitat for Humanity Poland which is part of the international organization Habitat for Humanity which deals with housing poverty. It offers help by building and renovating homes, additionally giving micro loans for renovation purposes (www.habitat.pl). But one NGO for 6,5 million people in need is not enough and one cannot have an NGO taking the role of the government.
Source:By Monika Figaj, turkishweekly.net