Housing as social infrastructure

The chapter deals with the necessity and possibility of organizing housing as social infrastructure. Based on the work on infrastructures and the foundational economy, social infrastructure is understood not only as a specific facility and service, but also as a unique form of state intervention. The provision of facilities and services as social infrastructures follows the criteria of a) provision under public management, b) financing through public investment, c) a largely free offer that d) is aimed at all population groups. In contrast to other housing policy instruments (rent regulation, housing benefit or subsidy programmes), public housing organizes housing as a permanently decommodified sector and minimizes recurring crises in the social housing provision. Historical examples of public housing in Vienna (Austria), the United Kingdom and Sweden show that there were already housing policy schemes in the past that included elements of housing as social infrastructure.