From Philanthropy to Systemic Solutions: Expert Conference Examined the (Un)Affordability of Housing in the Czech Republic

The conference consisted of a series of presentations and expert panel discussions. It opened with data presented by sociologists Paulína Tabery and Martina Mikeszová, alongside a contribution from Kristýna Baše of the International Organization for Migration. They were followed by numerous examples from institutional and non-profit practice in the Czech Republic, highlighting the consistently high barriers to accessing housing for both the general population and refugees arriving from Ukraine in recent years. In addition to facing challenges similar to those experienced by the majority of the population, Ukrainian newcomers have also to overcome distinct additional barriers.

A central recurring theme was the limited affordability of housing for low-income households, not only in Prague and other chronically expensive cities, but across the country. This issue manifests in various ways, affecting up to one in ten people, who may be living in unsuitable or unstable accommodation, lacking access to a standard housing contract or dependent on temporary accommodation. Some are even at risk of becoming completely homeless. Experts also noted that the uncertainty experienced by socially vulnerable groups is further exacerbated by trends such as the chaining of short-term rental contracts, which, in extreme, though not rare, cases last only a single month.

The multidisciplinary meeting was hosted and funded by Citi. Last year, the Citi Foundation — the bank’s philanthropic arm — awarded Romodrom a grant of half a million US dollars (approximately 10.5 million Czech crowns) for a two-year housing project. The programme supports particularly vulnerable Ukrainian refugees who are at risk of homelessness or living in inadequate housing conditions in the Czech Republic.

Romodrom was one of 50 community organisations around the world to receive support through the Citi Foundation’s Global Innovation Challenge in 2024. This initiative supports 50 organisations working to address homelessness, with a total philanthropic investment of $25 million. “Our objective is to support new approaches through catalytic funding, shifting the narrative from identifying problems to implementing solutions originating directly from local communities. We hope that this will ultimately inspire additional investment. We also aim to build a robust set of data on effective approaches that can be replicated and scaled up,” said Munir Nanji, Citi’s CEO for Central Europe, in his opening remarks.

“Citi and the Citi Foundation recognise that safe, affordable and stable housing is crucial for the economic and social well-being of individuals and communities worldwide, including in the Czech Republic. Philanthropic resources, combined with collaboration and flexibility in implementing bold ideas, can act as a catalyst for innovation,” he added.

The line-up of speakers connected systemic perspectives with insights from practitioners who work with affected communities every day. Mariana Kabátová, head of the Romodrom branch in Karlovy Vary, shared her experiences of providing emergency assistance to foreign nationals in need in the Karlovy Vary and Ústí nad Labem regions - areas facing high levels of social exclusion and economic hardship. Ms Kabátová emphasised that while many refugee families have an income, it is often insufficient to cover the substantial financial deposits required for standard housing. Some refugees also suffer from health conditions that reduce their income to a level barely sufficient for dormitory accommodation.

“Public sentiment has shifted since the beginning of the war. We often encounter xenophobia, with landlords stating directly in advertisements that they do not want foreigners, even though this is unlawful,” she noted, adding that both Czechs and Ukrainians look for similar types of housing and prioritise affordability.

A Good Practice: Housing First and Finding Synergies

The conference also showcased successful Housing First projects across the Czech Republic that are supported by the state, the European Union or local municipalities. These projects benefit both low-income households and property owners: landlords receive guaranteed rent payments and administrative support, while individuals or families gain access to standard, stable housing instead of dormitories or other unsuitable accommodation. In recent years, dozens of such projects have helped approximately 1,100 households — primarily Czech, but also Ukrainian in some cases — to access adequate housing.

Although Housing First is a well-established concept in the Czech Republic, it is still relatively new. The third part of the conference therefore focused on sharing international experience of combining housing with social support and counselling. Speakers included Juha Kahila from the Y-Foundation in Helsinki, Paolo La Marca from the Punto Ronda day centre in Milan and Daniel García Levia from the Spanish organisation Asociación Realidades. This Spanish organisation supports people with experience of homelessness to access and manage their own housing. Alongside Romodrom, Asociación Realidades is another recipient of a USD 500,000 Citi Foundation grant as part of the Global Innovation Challenge.

One of the key themes of the event was how the private sector could contribute to addressing the housing crisis, and the intersection between business, government and the non-profit sector. The concluding panel discussion featured Jaroslav Pavlas, a real estate agent from South Bohemia; Marek Mikulec, a housing researcher and coordinator at the Agency for Social Inclusion; Barbora Raková from the State Fund for Investment Support; and Marie Mališková, Public Affairs Officer for Citi in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The panellists agreed on the importance of collaboration and networking across sectors in order to overcome fundamental differences, build trust, and solve shared problems. Ms Raková highlighted regional housing affordability platforms as an example of how social policy experts, private developers, and local representatives can collaborate to identify synergies.

The discussion also touched on the role of corporate philanthropy in addressing gaps within the existing system. Mališková emphasised that private funding can drive innovation and new approaches. "By enabling the piloting of new methods, particularly in the social field, philanthropy can demonstrate their effectiveness and potentially inspire broader, scalable solutions. 'For our Global Innovation Challenge, organisations from anywhere in the world can apply. Romodrom was one of just fifty initiatives selected as recipients of the Citi Foundation’s Global Innovation Challenge in 2024. We are delighted to bring this investment to the Czech Republic,” she concluded.

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About Romodrom:Romodrom, o.p.s., is a non-governmental non-profit organisation operating in most Czech regions, with a track record of projects that strengthen clients’ independence and promote social cohesion.For nearly 25 years, Romodrom has supported people in difficult life situations through outreach work, specialised social counselling, and Housing First programmes. The organisation provides advice on debt and unemployment, helps people to navigate public authorities, supports families with children, and assists individuals in prison and their relatives to prevent social exclusion. The organisation also provides crisis assistance to migrants in distress and works with Roma communities in Ukraine.

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