Foreword

The report Housing Affordability in Cities in the Czech Republic comes at a critical time. Across OECD economies, housing costs have been absorbing an increasing share of household income, reaching 31% for the average middle-income household. The Czech Republic is no different in this respect, with house prices rising by 43% since 2013, almost twice as fast as in the OECD on average. Many people are therefore increasingly struggling to afford decent housing, particularly in cities where demand is outpacing supply.

The COVID-19 crisis has shone a harsh light on chronic underlying challenges that were already clogging housing markets before the pandemic, such as growing housing insecurity and obstacles to housing construction. While national and local authorities across the OECD have taken emergency measures to protect their most vulnerable residents from the immediate impact of the crisis, including through shelter for the homeless, freezing rents for social housing, and suspending evictions, longer-term action is needed.

As part of the OECD Horizontal Housing Initiative, this report investigates housing challenges in, and solutions for, cities in the Czech Republic. Building on an innovative survey of more than 1 800 Czech municipalities, the report aims to guide the 2021 reform of the Czech Housing Strategy. Concerted action from national and local governments will be critical to expand access to quality housing for all to shape more sustainable and resilient cities.