The Right to housing is not constitutionally guaranteed. However, it is established in legislation through the Austrian Social Aid Act (§20); which supports “homeless people and persons in extraordinary precarious situations” through the “provision of housing”. The provincial governments contract these services out to NGOs.
Housing provision in Austria is saveguarded by the following elements:
• A strong LPHA sector (“Limited Profit Housing Associations”) plus additional public housing especially in Vienna.
• Cost rent scheme of LPHA.
• Rent control regime in parts of the private rental market.
• Strong infrastructure of assisted housing.
• Targeted housing allowances.
• A strong position of housing in civil society.
Nevertheless the situation gets worse as a growing number of people are not able to afford their housing costs due to deregulation and high rents in parts of the private market and due to high energy costs. NGOs working in the field recognise a growing number of households in the labor market that are not able to finance the full amount of their housing and energy costs with their working income any more. Some people cannot present proof of long term residence in the municipality where they are currently living and therefore are not entitled for public housing.
In terms of International treaties and obligations, Austria has ratified the Revised European Social Charter on 20/05/2011, accepting 76 of the Revised Charter’s 98 paragraphs, but excluding Article 31 on the right to housing. Furthermore, although Austria has signed, it has yet to ratify the Additional Protocol providing for a system of collective complaints.
Last update: 17 February 2017
Subject:
Quality of housing
Right to dignity
Right to housing
Country:
