In the EU, a similar system for government housing has been set up. The government provides low income citizens with housing for a much lower cost than it would normally be. However, as poverty grows in Europe and investments in social housing decrease, social housing continues to be a major problem in European society.
The highest share of population affected by housing overburden is to be found among tenants in the private sector, among which the most vulnerable, are people living alone, followed by single with dependent children;
Young population encounter more difficulties compared to past generation to start their housing path not only in southern Europe as it has been mostly the case until now;
The dropping of investments between 2008-2012 in providing social housing (except for France), despite the demand of households in waiting lists has increased;
High level of debts linked to housing, esp. in relation to mortgage indebtedness, triggering a high number of foreclosures (e.g. Spain), not surprisingly with a high number of mortgages arrears among those on low income.
Despite the quality conditions of housing has generally improved in the last years, lack of basic amenities and overcrowding dwellings are a burden for some new MS and southern countries such Italy and Greece. These are related to issues of refurbishing poor housing following energy efficiency measures.
Affordable housing in India faces many issues. It is estimated that the country is short 18 million homes, and the vast majority of this is the economically weaker part of society. There are an estimated number of 65 million people in India living in slums or other informal living conditions. However, the country faces many issues in trying to establish a system of housing.
Land Scarcity: The high population density, rapid urbanization, and poorly conceived regulations have created shortage in land parcels capable of development.
Tilting Issues: As of now, India lacks a robust system to protect land rights. There are two aspects to land title: first, a formal recognition of property rights by the state through a system of titles; and second, facilitation by the state, of efficient trade in rights, through a process of registration. Both of these elements exist in India, but in incomplete form.
Rising Costs: Both land and construction costs have increased, compounded by price appreciation of construction materials and labour.
Regulatory Constraints: Project sanctions can take several years, and need to be cleared by as many as forty departments across the national and sub-national levels, including the environment, fire, revenue and water departments, the traffic police and so on.