Housing is one of the most important things that people need. To live a peaceful life, it is essential to have a place where they can sleep, eat, wash and relax, and at the same time call this place home. The issue of housing is an increasingly debated topic at the moment.
A challenging situation
Nowadays, many people are struggling to find affordable housing that is not too expensive. Many of them cannot afford their own housing because they do not meet the criteria for applying for a mortgage or loan. House prices are overvalued and people do not have the salaries to make high loan repayments. Nor is it realistic to be able to save enough to buy a house or apartment with cash. Renting of apartments also during inflationwhich continues to prevail, is becoming more and more expensive.
Rental housing provided by businesses and companies where people work would be a welcome solution in this case. Especially for employees who would find it convenient to live close to their workplace.
Not much has changed
If we compare two generations – the current generation and our parents’ generation – in terms of the money they have left at the end of the month from their salary, there is basically nothing changed compared to the past. People will be left with roughly the same amount. For example, our parents earned 800 crowns and managed to put aside 100 crowns, which they used to take a holiday once a year. Today we may earn 1,300 euros, but compared to the past we can save the same amount of money. Actually, it doesn’t matter how much people earn and what they can keep aside from their salary, but whether they have a secure roof over their heads. They are interested in having a place where they and their family can live when they return home from work. Simply what employees want is housing security.
And here we can see the difference compared to past times when our parents were the age we are today. It used to be common for workers to be provided with housing. The company they worked for provided them with an apartment in return for being its permanent employees.
The state could help
In our company Atena we think this situation should change and employers should provide rental apartments for their employees. But it is not that simple. Individual state systems should therefore be open to help and set up to encourage companies to pursue this idea. Tax breaks would be an appropriate help, allowing companies to build or buy rental housing for their employees. They would then be allowed to buy these flats for a reduced amount and they would take possession of them. There are now technologies through which it is possible to build quickly, the initiative just needs to be there to help people. A solution could also be the use of EU funds for the development of infrastructure, which is closely linked to rental housing.
Saving time
Rental housing is also a suitable alternative for workers because they are often forced to travel long distances to work outside their region. This deprives them of time they would otherwise spend with their families or doing their favourite leisure activities, when they could recharge and relax. In addition to time, they would also save money thanks to rental apartments.
Greater productivity
Rental housing would be able to attract new skilled workers. They would certainly play an important role in deciding whether they are interested in becoming part of a particular society. Rental housing would help achieve increased economic growth. Profits of local businesses would grow, improving the economic situation in each region. By improving working conditions in the form of providing adequate and affordable housing, companies would automatically positively affect workers’ performance and motivate them. It would lead to improved productivity and satisfaction. Businesses would thus reduce recruitment costs and avoid staff turnover.
Rental housing for employees is a positive solution for all concerned.
Ecological dimension
Rental apartments offer the additional added value of focusing on the ecological aspect. Housing located close to urban centres or industrial zones will also help reduce traffic and pollution. If the flats were built close to the workplace, this would allow employees to walk, cycle or take public transport to work.
Multiple options
As mentioned above, the state can play a key role in promoting the construction of rental housing through various measures. This includes funding, availability of land or removal of red tape.
- Financial support – one of the ways is to provide funds for the construction of rental housing and also for its later operation. It may include not only the subsidies themselves, but also various tax reliefs and advantages.
- Ensuring land is available – a common problem in the development of rental housing is the availability of suitable land. The state can ensure its availability through ownership, purchase or lease or, for example, by making its land available at discounted rates. This will ensure that construction is carried out where it is needed.
- Simplifying red tape – another way the state can support construction is by simplifying red tape – speeding up processes related to construction, such as building permits. This will make the construction of rental housing faster and more efficient.
The need for rental housing is an increasingly hot topic. Atena also wants to go down the route of providing housing for its workers. Therefore, employees who are interested in a new job offer, we also offer accommodation if they need it.
