Program

A chance to meet other participants, connect with speakers, and explore the media and partner area before the official start of the Forum.

Welcome remarks by the organizers and invited guests.

An introductory keynote presenting the main themes of the Forum — affordable housing, social resilience, and the role of accessible housing in shaping the future of communities.

(Simultaneous interpretation)

Accessible and affordable housing is increasingly recognized as a key driver of social and economic development in Poland. According to Habitat for Humanity Poland’s recent report “Housing 2025”, one in five people live in inadequate conditions, and over one-quarter of Polish households fall into the “rental gap” — unable to afford market rent or purchase a home, yet not eligible for public housing. 

The session will explore directions for public policy and initiatives supporting affordable housing at the European, national, and local levels. Particular attention will be given to the Social Rental Agency (SAN) model, which is gaining importance as a flexible tool for local housing policies. Discussions will cover experiences from municipalities, government-funded SAN projects, and the potential for scaling up this model in Poland. 

The session will also examine how cooperation between public administration, municipalities, national institutions, and civil society can increase housing accessibility and create stable living conditions for diverse social groups — strengthening local communities and social cohesion.

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(Simultaneous interpretation)

Rising economic, demographic, and climate pressures make housing and social resilience one of Poland’s key development challenges. The effectiveness of housing support systems determines the country’s ability to respond to crises — from migration to energy shocks — and to provide stable living conditions for vulnerable groups. 

Drawing on lessons learned from the arrival of people fleeing the war in Ukraine, the session will focus on how national preparedness, long-term housing strategies, and efficient use of EU cohesion funds can enhance systemic resilience. Participants will discuss the competence gap at the municipal level, the balance between legislative responsibilities and available financial tools, and the role of public policy within Poland’s Medium-Term Development Strategy and the upcoming EU financial perspective. 

The discussion will explore how central, regional, and local actors — together with social organizations and emergency services — can build housing and social resilience through coordination and partnership.

Rising living and housing costs increasingly strain low-income households. One approach that combines economic, social, and environmental benefits is the circular economy — reusing and repurposing furniture and interior fittings to reduce waste and give items a second life. 

The session will showcase examples of cooperation between businesses, public institutions, and social organizations that help lower household expenses and support people in vulnerable situations.
A featured case will be Warsaw’s ReStore, a social enterprise run by Habitat for Humanity Poland, which sells good-quality, pre-owned home furnishings at affordable prices — often donated by companies and institutions. 

The discussion will highlight how the circular economy can become an integral part of broader housing and social policy, engaging business, local governments, and the social sector in joint efforts toward sustainable development and affordable housing.

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(Simultaneous interpretation)

Across Europe, vacant and underused buildings represent a vast, often overlooked opportunity to tackle both the housing and climate crises. Bringing these spaces back to life can reduce emissions from new construction (nearly 40% of CO₂ emissions in the EU come from the building sector), counter urban sprawl, and support the creation of more compact and energy-efficient communities. 

This session will explore how adaptive reuse of existing housing stock can enhance affordability and climate resilience — turning empty properties into homes.

Participants will discuss regulatory and financial instruments, as well as examples of partnerships and local leadership that connect housing justice with the green transition and improved living conditions for all.

Population ageing, migration flows, and the housing needs of persons with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness are driving a profound transformation of Poland’s social support system. Deinstitutionalisation is becoming a key direction of this change–shifting away from large institutional facilities toward individual, integrated housing and service solutions. 

The session will explore ongoing plans and experiences related to converting collective accommodation facilities, including temporary housing for people from Ukraine, into permanent housing solutions, as well as the development of supported housing that combines residential functions with access to social services. 

The discussion will also address financial and organisational challenges faced by local governments and public institutions, as well as the role of cross-sector cooperation in creating flexible support models for older people, persons with disabilities, migrants, and people experiencing homelessness.

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(Simultaneous interpretation)

Cohesion policy, the EU Affordable Housing Plan, and the European Anti-Poverty Strategy highlight how social and housing issues are becoming central to the EU’s policy agenda. 

The closing session will examine how European institutions are addressing the growing demand for affordable housing, social inclusion, and community resilience within the framework of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). 

Discussions will also refer to the latest findings of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) on a rights-based approach to affordable housing.

The Coalition Meeting “Empty Spaces to Homes” will provide a space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration between organizations, municipalities, and partners involved in adapting vacant buildings for housing purposes. 

The facilitated session will focus on reviewing, discussing, and finalising policy papers based on recommendations developed by Coalition members. These documents will be shared with participants in advance and refined during the meeting to form a solid basis for future advocacy towards relevant institutions. 

The event will also include short speed-presentations from Coalition members, showcasing good practices and initiatives — particularly in the field of adaptive reuse of vacant buildings and the development of affordable housing.

A roundtable combined with a practical workshop for representatives of existing Social Rental Agencies (SAN) and organizations planning to launch similar initiatives. The event aims to foster networking, knowledge sharing, and exchange of best practices to strengthen the SAN model in Poland. 

The discussion will create space for collaboration between municipalities, social organizations, and institutional partners, deepening understanding of the tools that support the development of Social Rental Agencies. 

The roundtable is organized as part of the project “Promoting social and economic inclusion, empowerment, and access to affordable housing for refugees”, funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).