The role of entrepreneurship and innovation for a sustainable housing supply

During recent decades, Swedish housing has been claimed to go through privatization. At the same time, the need to provide socially sustainable, and in particular affordable, housing has become evident. Despite this trend, little research has focused on private firms and their role in sustainable housing provision.

Research has so far been concentrated on the part of municipal housing and large multinational firms.

This project aims to take an overall perspective in understanding the role of the private sector in housing, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. Regional differences in the housing markets, and the consequent effect on housing, will be highlighted.

The study consists of: i) a focused literature review, ii) a quantitative analysis of the ownership structure of housing across Sweden, and iii) case studies where innovative initiatives contributing to social sustainability in housing have been central.

We argue that understanding how private firms work and interact with the public sector is vital for policymaking and public housing firms.

It is the first step for uncovering and utilizing the private firms´ potential as the collaborative resource for a more socially sustainable housing sector in Sweden.