The Development of Central and Cantonal Housing Policies in Switzerland since the 1990s

Yuta Kakegai, Ibaraki University

Abstract: Traditionally, the provision of welfare to housing has not been a central issue in comparative welfare state studies. Jim Kemeny focused on this and, through international comparisons, presented the hypothesis that there is a trade-off between the rate of home ownership and the level of government welfare spending. The hypothesis is generally valid for 18 developed countries, with the exception of Switzerland. Indeed, in Switzerland, while home ownership is low, government spending on housing is also low. The background of this situation is considered in part to be the central systems, such as rent control by the rent reference index (Referenzzinssatz) or “Eigenmietwert”, which are difficult to grasp and compare quantitatively. Since the 1990s, these systems have often been the subject of debate and reform in parliament and referendums. In addition, the ownership rate tends to be low in urban areas such as Zurich and Geneva, and low in the rural areas such as Jura.There is a big difference between the states in their focus on Social Housing and public housing construction. While Geneva and Zurich have a long tradition of housing policy, some states have only recently begun or have not done anything. This study tracks the political decision-making processes that take place at the central and local levels and reveals the particularities of Swiss housing welfare.

See paper

 Presented in Session 179. Housing Policy in the Late 20th Century